Just like the automotive business, motorsport is transferring in the direction of progressive electrification. Even in classes with hybrid powertrains, the thermal element is changing into much less vital than previously, except for the WRC, which not too long ago took a step again to cut back prices.
In different four-wheel classes, akin to WEC or Formulation 1, hybrids play a key function. In Formulation 1, for example, the brand new energy items debuting in 2026 will see a rise within the electrical element, contributing as much as 50% of the entire energy output of the automobiles.
Alongside hybrid powertrains are absolutely electrical ones, akin to these in Formulation E. A hybrid system naturally differs from a completely electrical one, however there are shared components, akin to the truth that vitality recovered throughout braking passes by a battery earlier than powering a motor-generator to maneuver the automotive.
The battery itself is likely one of the most fascinating components, not solely as a result of technological developments have enabled vital progress in only a few years but in addition as a result of every class has particular wants. Basically, whereas each collection makes use of batteries, not all batteries are appropriate for each collection.
It is a subject Motorsport.com mentioned with Podium Superior Applied sciences, the Italian firm set to produce batteries for the upcoming Gen 4 Formulation E automobiles. Podium already boasts in depth expertise in different classes. Based in 2011, Podium started its journey in motorsport by creating hybrid programs for automobiles competing within the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, such because the P4/5 Competizione, and later expanded to different collection.
The Italian firm contributed to the event of the SCG 007C, the Glickenhaus Hypercar that competed within the WEC for 3 seasons, collaborated with Audi on the RS Q e-tron that received the Dakar, and provides batteries for MotoE, the absolutely electrical motorbike world championship that accompanies MotoGP.
This in depth expertise has allowed Podium to deeply analyze the nuances of assorted championships. Their high quality as a producer additionally led the FIA to pick them by a young because the unique provider of batteries for all Formulation E groups beginning in 2027.
On the subject of batteries, the primary main distinction is the facility profile, which varies relying on every collection’ laws and the distinct necessities of hybrid and absolutely electrical programs.
Energy Profiles and Dimensions: How Batteries Range
“Every battery pack has its personal distinctive traits, notably by way of energy profiles—i.e., the quantity of kW enter and output and its ratio to the pack’s capability,” explains Luca Ciancetti, co-founder and head of the Highway Vehicles and Motorsport Enterprise Traces at Podium, in an interview with Motorsport.com.
“In a hybrid system, the battery pack normally has a really small capability measured in kWh as a result of it must be light-weight. Nonetheless, it additionally has a really excessive energy profile because it should ship vital energy when in use. So, in a hybrid system, the C-rate—the indicator of energy relative to the pack’s capability—is excessive.”
For instance, the batteries utilized in Formulation 1 or the WEC, which characteristic hybrid programs, are notably compact in comparison with these in Formulation E. In F1 or WEC, the place inside combustion engines nonetheless play a significant function and take up vital house alongside the gasoline tank, the main target is on making battery packs as compact and light-weight as attainable whereas sustaining effectiveness by way of energy output.
In Formulation E, and extra typically in absolutely electrical collection, a lot bigger capacities are required to finish the race distance utilizing solely the vitality saved within the battery. “Battery packs for electrical purposes sometimes have decrease C-rates as a result of they’ve giant capacities. Even when they ship excessive energy, the facility output is a small or comparatively small a number of of their capability,” provides Ciancetti.
Not All Cells Are Appropriate
This distinction in energy profiles is a elementary consider how motorsport batteries are designed and constructed, ranging from the preliminary venture part. Every pack contains quite a few cells, however not all cells are appropriate for each utility, making the number of the precise cell essential.
“This has vital impacts on many areas, beginning with cell choice. Not all cells can carry out the identical job, so the precise cell have to be chosen for the precise utility. There’s additionally the matter of connection applied sciences between cells, as totally different present ranges between cells require totally different connection strategies,” Ciancetti explains.
“We use numerous connection strategies, akin to laser or ultrasonic welding, choosing essentially the most acceptable one primarily based on the battery pack’s utilization profile.”
Cooling Techniques Range with Energy
The upper the facility output, the higher the warmth that must be dissipated, necessitating a devoted cooling system. This presents a fancy problem for each hybrid and electrical programs. In F1, for example, the place batteries must ship vital vitality and are positioned to maintain the middle of gravity low and keep aerodynamic effectivity, discovering the precise steadiness between reliability and efficiency is crucial.
“The design and improvement of cooling programs fluctuate relying on necessities as a result of battery packs with very excessive C-rates generate numerous warmth in every cell, so an environment friendly solution to dissipate that warmth have to be devised,” Ciancetti explains.
Podium begins battery improvement with a mathematical mannequin that defines the primary elements of the system earlier than delving into particulars. “We now stay in an period the place design is usually model-based. Whether or not it’s for a automotive or a battery, we at all times begin with a mathematical mannequin representing the system we’re designing,” Ciancetti says.
“Within the case of batteries, the mannequin of the cell, the module, and the battery pack has totally different inputs and traits relying on the cell we’ll use and the mission we have to obtain. From there, we begin designing every little thing across the cell, together with the module idea, cooling programs, connections, and different elements.”
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
