While the world of Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship have run hybrids since 2014, other series are looking to introduce the technology into their racing programmes in the next set of regulations. Thanks to Covid-19, those plans have now largely been delayed in all categories, but the entry level Formula 4 has already achieved their introduction.
The story behind how this car came about is fascinating. The original intention of FIA was to run a F4 World Final, bringing together the best drivers and teams from the US, European and Asian Formula 4 series in a single shootout at the Macau Grand Prix in November. If this sounds familiar it should, the circuit has hosted just such an event for Formula 3 since 1983.
However, as Formula 3 regulations separated around the world and reduced the impact of the World Cup at Macau, so did Formula 4 regulations, with each region using different chassis and there is a huge weight difference between them all. To bring them together under one grid was not going to be possible, so another solution was sought.
World Cup
The concept of an F4 World Cup then reared its head. This was the FIA-backed Olympics of motorsport, called the FIA Motorsport Games. Organised by FIA and Stéphane Ratel’s SRO, it was held for the first time in Rome, Italy at the end of October 2019. There, national teams were pitted against each other in various forms of motorsport, with the idea of trying to recreate the multi-discipline nature of the original Olympics. This was a perfect opportunity to create an F4 shootout, but there was still a need for a common car.
This story is from the June 2020 edition of Racecar Engineering.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2020 edition of Racecar Engineering.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Talk the torque
More thoughts on in-wheel motors and their effects on twisting force
Rolling about
An explanation of the limitations of a previous load transfer article, bringing jacking forces into the mix
F1 breaks schedule records
The FIA has confirmed no fewer than 23 races on the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship schedule, the highest number of grands prix ever to be held in a single season, and that has led to criticism from some teams that will be on the road for eight months.
Under pressure
Toyota may have finished first and second at Le Mans this year, but the effort required to overcome a fuel delivery problem and finish with both cars was Herculean
Physics at work
Dutch company, Intrax, offers Racecar Engineering an insight into the technologies it employs to optimise its suspension products
Williams' 2030 ambition
Williams Racing has committed to becoming climate positive by 2030 as part of an all-new sustainability strategy.
Diff'rent strokes
Racecar looks at the different types of mechanical differential, their benefits and limitations
Das Boot
A curious Twitter exchange fired up a unique, hydrogen-powered, cross-country project that will contest the Baja 1000 in November 2022
Air born
Every racecar engineer's dream is a blank sheet of paper design. When Hoonigan and Subaru approached Vermont Sportscars about building the next generation of Gymkhana racer, that's just what the company was given
Remote control
Called variously ‘virtual garages’, ‘mission control’ or ‘race support rooms’ is the future of race engineering sitting in the warm back at HQ?
