Behind a single-seater on observe lies an especially complicated world of expertise, technicians, and engineers. System 1 and System E share a number of features but additionally signify two fully completely different classes in how they conceive automobile improvement, each as a result of nature of the vehicles themselves and a few financial constraints.
In System 1, for instance, whereas remaining inside the regulatory quantity limits, groups have vital design freedom on the aerodynamic and chassis fronts, permitting them to discover completely different ideas from crew to crew. Conversely, in System E, it was determined to depend on a single producer for aerodynamics and chassis, leaving extra room for powertrain improvement.
It’s exactly within the powertrain area {that a} central distinction emerges within the method to improvement. Earlier than the freeze on present models, System 1 allowed steady improvement of each {hardware} and software program, for each the interior combustion and electrical parts, making vital efficiency leaps doable even through the season.
Why FE focuses on software program
Conversely, in FE, improvement is split into two approaches: {hardware} improvement is proscribed to a two-year cycle, whereas software program improvement is totally unrestricted. On the {hardware} facet, as soon as the unit has been homologated, parts can’t be modified for the subsequent two seasons, at the very least till the automobile’s evolution is launched. This additionally permits producers to homologate a brand new powertrain that may bear one other two-year cycle.
Nonetheless, whereas {hardware} improvement follows a cyclical sample to assist comprise prices in a financially sustainable sequence—the place the annual finances per crew is capped at round €15 million in comparison with System 1’s present €140 million—the actual battleground in System E is software program, which is arguably extra straight related to the automotive business.
In System 1, till the freeze in 2022, groups had been allowed 5 updates per season for the ability unit software program linked to the ECU, in addition to for the ERS and management unit functions. Since 2023, just one software program model per season has been permitted. As soon as the database is ready, groups can alter its utilization based mostly on observe layouts and particular wants. Nonetheless, the core software program stays unchanged, with uncommon alternatives for updates.
In distinction, in System E, given the FIA-imposed limitations on {hardware} improvement, there’s vital freedom in software program, which producers sometimes replace each two to 3 races after a validation part within the simulator. This can be a essential facet for a number of causes: first, as seen previously two years, it permits vital progress within the standings, and second, as a result of nature of the vehicles themselves.
Software program improvement improves effectivity
In System E, effectivity is essential. Every automobile has a set quantity of power to finish the ePrix, however a part of that power doesn’t come from the battery; reasonably, it’s recovered throughout braking. The extra environment friendly a automobile is at managing power restoration and cost, the larger the benefit it positive aspects.
Improvement additionally revolves round how the system recovers power throughout braking or raise and coast, requiring shut collaboration with the motive force’s preferences. Moreover, software program influences how power is deployed and impacts the automobile’s stability.
It’s no coincidence that after being developed in specialised departments, software program is validated by drivers within the simulator to evaluate not solely its effectiveness but additionally its influence on automobile habits. In FE, software program improvement is twofold: whereas the bottom software program is designed by the powertrain producer, buyer groups can even modify it.
Usually, past the mounted framework set by the producer for system operation, buyer groups have entry to change 10 to fifteen% of the code for personalization. This may increasingly appear to be a small margin, however it impacts essential features equivalent to power restoration parameters, which is why buyer groups can generally problem the producer’s efficiency.
Software program will probably be a key think about F1 once more from 2026
In F1, software program improvement is at present restricted by rules, however from 2026 it can grow to be a key facet as soon as once more. This isn’t solely as a result of power administration will grow to be considerably extra complicated, as beforehand analyzed, but additionally as a result of groups will probably be allowed to replace software program a number of instances through the season.
From 2026, every producer will probably be permitted to make use of 5 completely different software program variations per season, lowering to 4 in 2027 and three from 2028 onward. Because of the very nature of the long run energy models, which can remove the MGU-H, groups might undertake vastly completely different power deployment methods all through a lap, with various acceleration curves relying on whether or not they prioritize higher acceleration or a unique power distribution.
With the 2026 rules making {the electrical} part the focus—the place energy output is cut up 50/50 between the interior combustion engine and the electrical system—power administration will grow to be a essential issue, and extra environment friendly software program might make a decisive distinction. This won’t solely contain software program improvement for enhancing CFD fashions or automobile habits within the simulator however, maybe most significantly, for optimizing the administration of future energy models.
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
