The yr 2025 marks the ultimate System 1 season for energy models launched with the 2014 rules. Regardless of a protracted 12-season interval, together with solely 9 years of unrestricted growth earlier than the freeze in 2022, the technical cycle concludes with out absolute convergence, with two equally legitimate philosophies. Till the tip, Ferrari has remained the only real staunch supporter of the compact turbocharger engine, resisting the break up turbo embraced by Mercedes, Honda, and Renault. Nonetheless, this alternative has left no regrets.
The break up turbo
Mercedes was the primary producer to introduce the break up turbo structure for hybrid energy models. This answer separates the turbine, powered by scorching exhaust gases, from the compressor, which compresses the air coming into the engine. A rotating shaft connects the 2 elements, with the MGU-H positioned in between. The MGU-H is an electrical motor pushed by the turbine to recharge power, however it could additionally carry out work to speed up the compressor.
Honda adopted Mercedes, introducing a break up turbo structure, which Renault later adopted with its 2022 energy unit. That very same yr, it was speculated that Ferrari may also undertake this design, however the Maranello technicians and engineers selected to proceed with its philosophy. “In our structure, the MGU-H is mounted in entrance of the turbocharger,” defined Enrico Gualtieri, head of Ferrari’s engine division, in 2023. “Over time, we determined to keep up this answer, which is uncommon in comparison with our opponents. The selection was to maintain a compact turbo-MGU-H meeting relatively than separating them, permitting the whole unit to suit throughout the V of the engine between the 2 cylinder banks.”
The benefits
In a 2021 interview with the Ialian media, then Honda F1 technical director Toyoharu Tanabe mentioned the choice to undertake the break up turbo: “We gained expertise with the compact answer earlier than shifting to the configuration with separated turbine and compressor, as we at Honda profit from this setup. We discovered rather a lot from each the earlier and the present designs. Maybe there are benefits to the compact turbocharger, however since we by no means went again to that answer, I can’t say for sure. Nonetheless, the present structure is among the greatest compromises.”
The desire for one idea over one other will depend on the facets chosen to be prioritized, aiming for the very best compromise between weight, dimension, and engine efficiency. The break up turbo, for instance, separates the turbine and compressor, inserting them outdoors the engine block. This association permits the connecting shaft and the MGU-H to be housed between the 2 cylinder banks, reducing the whole turbocharger meeting.
On one hand, the break up turbo helps decrease the middle of gravity whereas guaranteeing compact dimensions and larger freedom for the aerodynamics division in designing the automobile’s bodywork. Nonetheless, the equation additionally consists of the shapes of the consumption and exhaust ducts, the air and gasoline stress losses inside them, the usable engine energy, and {the electrical} power that may be regenerated via the MGU-H. “From the angle of energy unit efficiency, we’d like a sure degree of energy obtained via power regeneration,” Tanabe defined in 2021. “The break up turbo package deal might additionally influence aerodynamics, however general, the benefits by way of energy unit competitiveness are larger, which is why we selected this answer.”
Ferrari’s philosophy
Over time, Maranello’s engine division has repeatedly explored the break up turbo structure however by no means discovered the identical benefits as its rivals, persevering with as a substitute with its personal path. That is additionally as a consequence of completely different selections concerning the compressor, with Ferrari choosing a smaller compressor in comparison with opponents, prioritizing decrease weight, ease of reaching excessive rotational speeds, and higher response at low revs. The compact dimension allowed—and nonetheless permits—Ferrari to suit the turbocharger meeting throughout the area between the cylinder banks, providing related advantages to the break up turbo, not less than by way of dimension and aerodynamics.
The duality between the 2 philosophies is, nonetheless, set to finish within the 2026 System 1 championship. The upcoming rules, moreover eradicating the MGU-H, impose most and minimal diameters for the turbine and compressor and, most significantly, restrict the gap between the 2 elements to 175 mm. The break up turbo is ready to vanish from System 1 after charming all producers from 2014 to immediately, although it by no means managed to persuade Ferrari.
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