If you like Formula 1, you probably know that major changes will happen next season, with the most important being the switch from normally aspirated 2.4-liter V8 engines to turbocharged 1.6-liter V6 hybrid units.
Following McLaren’s announcement that it will switch to Honda engines from 2015, the Williams F1 Team said it reached an agreement with Mercedes-Benz, which will supply engines from 2014. Williams currently uses Renault powerplants.
Under the terms of the agreement Brixworth, UK-based Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) will supply Williams with a Mercedes-Benz Power Unit (Internal Combustion Engine plus Energy Recovery System. Williams will continue to manufacture its own transmission.
“I’m delighted to announce our new association with Mercedes-Benz for the 2014 Formula One season and beyond. Mercedes-Benz has been one of the sport’s most successful engine suppliers and we believe that they will have an extremely competitive engine package,” said Williams F1 owner and founder Frank Williams.
“Williams is one of the sport’s iconic names and we are very excited to be working together towards a successful future under the new regulations,” said Andy Cowell, Managing Director of Mercedes AMG HPP.
According to the 2014 regulations, cars will have to complete a race distance of 300 kilometers (186 miles) on a fuel load of just 100 kg (220 lbs). New, smaller engines will have to be 30 percent more energy efficient in order to achieve power outputs comparable to current levels. This will be largely achieved through an Energy Recovery System (ERS) that will be able to deploy ten times more energy than the current KERS. The ERS will recover energy both from the exhaust turbine and the rear axle, as well as deploying energy back to both.
The new technical developments will make Formula 1 more relevant for the road, with areas such as battery technology, turbocharging, energy recovery and combustion efficiency to benefit from technology transfer.
By Dan Mihalascu
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