F1: here's what 2021 engine formula could look like

6 Nov 2017

The current F1 engine formula is set to stay in place for a few more years, but the V6 turbo hybrid era is set for a significant change come 2021.

Image via Scuderia Ferrari website.

F1 and the FIA have revealed a proposal for the 2021 engine regulations, sticking with the 1.6 litre V6 turbo power unit, but increasing the engine running speed by 3000rpm to improve sound.

In the hybrid department, the MGU-H energy recovery system has been given the boot under the new proposal. Instead, we get a more powerful MGU-K system. The former system harvests exhaust gases to spin up the turbo engine, while the latter recovers kinetic energy usually lost under braking.

The beefed-up MGU-K will also allow for “manual driver deployment in race together with option to save up energy over several laps to give a driver controlled tactical element to racing”, the FIA stated on its website.

As for other noteworthy changes? Well, there’s a single turbo with “dimensional constraints and weight limits”, a standardised energy store and control electronics suite and a view to deliver ‘plug and play’ engine/chassis/transmission swapping.

Additionally, the FIA will investigate “tighter” fuel regulations. Under the current formula, the fuel flow rate is pegged at 100 kilograms per hour.

About Hadlee Simons

Hadlee Simons is an editor at Memeburn. Terrible puns make Hadlee difficult to work with, but he brings almost seven years of tech journalism experience to the table. When he's not at work or watching motorsport, he's in the foetal position on a jiu jitsu mat.