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Nothing stopping F1 from turning electric, says Brawn

Published on 11 Aug 2018 13:53
10
By: Fergal Walsh

Liberty Media's Ross Brawn says that Formula 1 could turn into an all-electric racing series in the next decade should it provide a better show for fans. Currently, F1 has a big injection of electric components to power the cars, but still relies massively on the combustion engine.

Formula E, the pinnacle of electric racing, has been growing since its maiden season four years ago. With electric vehicles becoming more common on the road, and governments around the world banning the sale of normally aspirated engined cars in the next 20 to 30 years, Brawn admits that F1 could turn to 100% electric power.

"I think we have to respect what Formula E is doing and what it's achieving," Brawn said "But if you look at the magnitude of the two they are not really comparable; the amount of fans we have and the appeal of Formula 1, Formula E is still very junior in that respect.

"I think Formula 1 will evolve in the direction that has the right balance of sport, relevance and engagement with the fans. If in five years' time or ten years' time there is a need, desire or wish to have a different type of power unit in Formula 1 then we will do it. There is nothing to stop us having electric Formula 1 cars in the future.

"At the moment they don't deliver the spectacle, and with all due respect if you go to a Formula E race it is a pretty junior category of motor racing,” he continued.

“It's a great event in terms of all of the stuff that is going on around it, but the race itself is pretty tame when you compare it to a Formula 1 event. The cars are not particularly fast, you don't have the personalities involved but they are doing a fabulous job at putting on an event and making it a street party."

However, he has assured that the sport will be moving in the right direction: "Ten years ago I don't think many people would be able to predict where the world is now and therefore I don't know where we will be in ten years, but Formula 1 will move in the right direction."

Despite big callings for F1 to return to solely combustion engined cars without any electrical input, Brawn says that it is likely F1 will return to those ways. F1 last used normally aspirated engines in 2013, the final year of the V8 engine regulations.

"There is a part of me which would love that to happen,” he said. “I do love the old F1 engines but I don't see how we could make that step back without such a radical revolution that would really polarise Formula 1 and split it apart.

"The manufacturers we have in Formula 1 at the moment are committed to the engines we have now, and should we have a revolution? I don't think so. I'd love to have those engines but it's not going to happen, so we need to evolve the engines we have now and learn the lessons from introducing these engines to see how we can take them in a direction that is a bit more appealing to the fans."

Fergal Walsh

f1dave

Posts: 782

A sure way to kill F1.

1
Aug 11 2018 - 18:15

F1 News

Replies (10)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
The problem isnt if you could electrify F1, we are all pretty aware that you can do that, the problem is when it should be done. And IMO, its way too early for it still. Going electric should be done at a time when the EVs can equal or be superior to the hybrids, and currently they dont seem to meet that standard.
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- Aug 11 2018 - 14:18
- f1fan0101
  
  Posts: 1,804
  Electric power could ruin F1. I agree with you, it will be done in the future, but it has to be done right
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  Aug 11 2018 - 14:44
- f1dave
  
  Posts: 782
  A sure way to kill F1.
  + 1
  
  Aug 11 2018 - 18:15
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Yeah, an electric switch in 2020 could be lethal to F1. If it is to be done, it should be done at least post 2025.
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  Aug 11 2018 - 19:16
Norbert

Posts: 108
Alejandro Agag who is CEO and part owner of Formula E replies, "Ross (Brawn) said that Formula 1 could go electric in 10 years and basically they can't. Formula E has an exclusive licence with the FIA for 25 seasons and we've only done four. So the earliest Formula 1 could go electric is 2039, if we don't renew our agreement with the FIA by then, but I don't see any reason why we shouldn't renew for longer. We have exclusivity until at least 2039, so no electric F1 until then at least. If they want to talk to me then of course that's a different question. I'm always open to talk to people. But without talking to me, there is no way they can do anything fully electric."
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- Aug 11 2018 - 22:41
- kngrthr
  
  Posts: 203
  they could get around it.
  
  make a fully electric car and put a 1 cylinder (honda) generator in there just charging the battery.
  that would legally be a hybrid, even if pointless.
  
  if petroleum becomes an issue in the future, i would prefer F1 to use alcohol fuel rather than go electric.
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  Aug 12 2018 - 03:30
- Norbert
  
  Posts: 108
  Yeah, I hear you. Or like a 1350cc triple ice + a 400 kw electric motor. Some people aren’t quite ready for that yet. I think really Brawn was being snarky or facetious, only Agag came back and said, it’s no joke pal, it never was. This is what’s relevant to consumer/prosumer next gen sports cars. On fan sites there’s a lot of nostalgia and quite a few who want to go internal combustion only. Thing is, that all peaked with Jackie Stewart or Ayrton Senna’s championship winning car. Take your pick – there are variations but nothing significantly better has been produced. I’m personally okay with that if that’s the way it goes. We can all dress in white and the girls can wear big hats and it will be like the Goodwood festival of speed or the Kentucky derby. But this is only after other cars beat F1 cars and WEC hybrids are knocking on the door and Formula E in 7 years might be there also.
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  Aug 12 2018 - 05:22
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I actually havent really thought of them going with an even smaller ICE hybrid, but its an interesting prospect, and would actually make the sport still relevant. Personally, I think they'd probably go with a 3 cylinder rather than a 1 cylinder, but its an interesting thought.
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  Aug 12 2018 - 10:33
Rindtchamp

Posts: 304
I've tried my best to like Formula E, I've watched 3-4 full races but no, I can't bear it. its incredibly boring and they sound like they are racing hoovers. Quite frankly I'd rather see F1 die off than change to electric.
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- Aug 12 2018 - 11:51
Ram Samartha

Posts: 1,172
The logical transition will happen when electric car batteries can go a full length race distance on a formula 1 trace, without having to change cars. The formula E cars are pretty amazing technically, but that technology is still in its infancy. Eventually the internal combustion engines will go the way of the dinosaurs so F1 will have to change. I have a lot more faith that Brawn and company are capable of handling the transition than I have of getting an article without typos on this site.
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- Aug 13 2018 - 17:56