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, aside from the WRC, which just lately took a step again to scale back prices.
In different four-wheel classes, comparable to WEC or System 1, hybrids play a key function. In System 1, as an 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, comparable to these in System E. A hybrid system naturally differs from a completely electrical one, however there are shared components, comparable to the truth that power recovered throughout braking passes via a battery earlier than powering a motor-generator to maneuver the automobile.
The battery itself is among the most fascinating components, not solely as a result of technological developments have enabled vital progress in just some years but additionally as a result of every class has particular wants. Primarily, whereas each sequence makes use of batteries, not all batteries are appropriate for each sequence.
This can be a subject Motorsport.com mentioned with Podium Superior Applied sciences, the Italian firm set to produce batteries for the upcoming Gen 4 System E automobiles. Podium already boasts in depth expertise in different classes. Based in 2011, Podium started its journey in motorsport by creating hybrid techniques for automobiles competing within the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, such because the P4/5 Competizione, and later expanded to different sequence.
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 gained the Dakar, and provides batteries for MotoE, the absolutely electrical bike 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 via a young because the unique provider of batteries for all System E groups beginning in 2027.
On the subject of batteries, the primary main distinction is the facility profile, which varies relying on every sequence’ rules and the distinct necessities of hybrid and absolutely electrical techniques.
Energy Profiles and Dimensions: How Batteries Range
“Every battery pack has its personal distinctive traits, significantly when it comes to 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 Automobiles and Motorsport Enterprise Strains at Podium, in an interview with Motorsport.com.
“In a hybrid system, the battery pack often has a really small capability measured in kWh as a result of it must be light-weight. Nevertheless, 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 System 1 or the WEC, which function hybrid techniques, are notably compact in comparison with these in System E. In F1 or WEC, the place inner combustion engines nonetheless play a significant function and take up vital area alongside the gasoline tank, the main target is on making battery packs as compact and light-weight as potential whereas sustaining effectiveness when it comes to energy output.
In System E, and extra typically in absolutely electrical sequence, a lot bigger capacities are required to finish the race distance utilizing solely the power saved within the battery. “Battery packs for electrical purposes sometimes have decrease C-rates as a result of they’ve massive 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 mission section. Every pack includes quite a few cells, however not all cells are appropriate for each utility, making the choice of the fitting cell essential.
“This has vital impacts on many areas, beginning with cell choice. Not all cells can carry out the identical job, so the fitting cell have to be chosen for the fitting 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, comparable to laser or ultrasonic welding, choosing probably the most applicable one based mostly on the battery pack’s utilization profile.”
Cooling Programs 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 techniques. In F1, as an example, the place batteries must ship vital power and are positioned to maintain the middle of gravity low and preserve aerodynamic effectivity, discovering the fitting steadiness between reliability and efficiency is crucial.
“The design and improvement of cooling techniques fluctuate relying on necessities as a result of battery packs with very excessive C-rates generate loads of 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 principle features of the system earlier than delving into particulars. “We now reside in an period the place design is usually model-based. Whether or not it’s for a automobile or a battery, we all the time 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 techniques, connections, and different features.”
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
