Behind a single-seater on observe lies an especially advanced world of know-how, technicians, and engineers. Components 1 and Components E share a number of points but additionally characterize two utterly completely different classes in how they conceive car growth, each because of the nature of the automobiles themselves and a few financial constraints.
In Components 1, for instance, whereas remaining throughout the regulatory quantity limits, groups have important design freedom on the aerodynamic and chassis fronts, permitting them to discover completely different ideas from staff to staff. Conversely, in Components E, it was determined to depend on a single producer for aerodynamics and chassis, leaving extra room for powertrain growth.
It’s exactly within the powertrain area {that a} central distinction emerges within the method to growth. Earlier than the freeze on present items, Components 1 allowed steady growth of each {hardware} and software program, for each the inner combustion and electrical elements, making important efficiency leaps potential even in the course of the season.
Why FE focuses on software program
Conversely, in FE, growth is split into two approaches: {hardware} growth is proscribed to a two-year cycle, whereas software program growth is totally unrestricted. On the {hardware} aspect, as soon as the unit has been homologated, elements can’t be modified for the following two seasons, a minimum of till the car’s evolution is launched. This additionally permits producers to homologate a brand new powertrain that can endure one other two-year cycle.
Nevertheless, whereas {hardware} growth follows a cyclical sample to assist comprise prices in a financially sustainable sequence—the place the annual finances per staff is capped at round €15 million in comparison with Components 1’s present €140 million—the actual battleground in Components E is software program, which is arguably extra immediately related to the automotive business.
In Components 1, till the freeze in 2022, groups have been allowed 5 updates per season for the facility unit software program linked to the ECU, in addition to for the ERS and management unit purposes. Since 2023, just one software program model per season has been permitted. As soon as the database is ready, groups can regulate its utilization based mostly on observe layouts and particular wants. Nevertheless, the core software program stays unchanged, with uncommon alternatives for updates.
In distinction, in Components E, given the FIA-imposed limitations on {hardware} growth, there’s important freedom in software program, which producers usually replace each two to a few races after a validation part within the simulator. It is a essential facet for a number of causes: first, as seen previously two years, it permits important progress within the standings, and second, because of the nature of the automobiles themselves.
Software program growth improves effectivity
In Components E, effectivity is essential. Every automotive has a set quantity of power to finish the ePrix, however a part of that power doesn’t come from the battery; somewhat, it’s recovered throughout braking. The extra environment friendly a automotive is at managing power restoration and cost, the higher the benefit it beneficial properties.
Growth additionally revolves round how the system recovers power throughout braking or elevate and coast, requiring shut collaboration with the driving force’s preferences. Moreover, software program influences how power is deployed and impacts the automotive’s stability.
It’s no coincidence that after being developed in specialised departments, software program is validated by drivers within the simulator to evaluate not solely its effectiveness but additionally its impression on car habits. In FE, software program growth is twofold: whereas the bottom software program is designed by the powertrain producer, buyer groups may modify it.
Usually, past the fastened framework set by the producer for system operation, buyer groups have entry to change 10 to fifteen% of the code for personalization. This may occasionally look like a small margin, however it impacts important points similar to power restoration parameters, which is why buyer groups can generally problem the producer’s efficiency.
Software program can be a key think about F1 once more from 2026
In F1, software program growth is at the moment restricted by laws, however from 2026 it can change into a key facet as soon as once more. This isn’t solely as a result of power administration will change into considerably extra advanced, as beforehand analyzed, but additionally as a result of groups can be allowed to replace software program a number of occasions in the course of the season.
From 2026, every producer can be permitted to make use of 5 completely different software program variations per season, lowering to 4 in 2027 and three from 2028 onward. As a result of very nature of the long run energy items, which can remove the MGU-H, groups might undertake vastly completely different power deployment methods all through a lap, with various acceleration curves relying on whether or not they prioritize higher acceleration or a special power distribution.
With the 2026 laws making {the electrical} element the focus—the place energy output is break up 50/50 between the inner combustion engine and the electrical system—power administration will change into a important issue, and extra environment friendly software program might make a decisive distinction. This won’t solely contain software program growth for bettering CFD fashions or car habits within the simulator however, maybe most significantly, for optimizing the administration of future energy items.
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