Just like the automotive trade, motorsport is shifting in the direction of progressive electrification. Even in classes with hybrid powertrains, the thermal part is changing into much less important than previously, except the WRC, which lately took a step again to cut back prices.
In different four-wheel classes, akin to WEC or System 1, hybrids play a key position. In System 1, as an illustration, the brand new energy items debuting in 2026 will see a rise within the electrical part, contributing as much as 50% of the overall energy output of the automobiles.
Alongside hybrid powertrains are totally electrical ones, akin to these in System E. A hybrid system naturally differs from a totally electrical one, however there are shared components, akin to the truth that vitality recovered throughout braking passes via a battery earlier than powering a motor-generator to maneuver the automobile.
The battery itself is likely one of the most fascinating components, not solely as a result of technological developments have enabled important progress in only a few years but additionally as a result of every class has particular wants. Basically, whereas each sequence makes use of batteries, not all batteries are appropriate for each sequence.
This can be a matter Motorsport.com mentioned with Podium Superior Applied sciences, the Italian firm set to provide 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 growing hybrid methods 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 totally 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.
In relation to batteries, the primary main distinction is the ability profile, which varies relying on every sequence’ laws and the distinct necessities of hybrid and totally electrical methods.
Energy Profiles and Dimensions: How Batteries Differ
“Every battery pack has its personal distinctive traits, notably 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 Street Automobiles and Motorsport Enterprise Strains 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. Nevertheless, it additionally has a really excessive energy profile because it should ship important 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 characteristic hybrid methods, are notably compact in comparison with these in System E. In F1 or WEC, the place inner combustion engines nonetheless play a significant position and take up important 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 usually in totally electrical sequence, 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 massive capacities. Even when they ship excessive energy, the ability 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 basic think about 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 choice of the precise cell essential.
“This has important impacts on many areas, beginning with cell choice. Not all cells can carry out the identical job, so the precise cell should 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, deciding on essentially the most acceptable one based mostly on the battery pack’s utilization profile.”
Cooling Programs Differ with Energy
The upper the ability output, the larger the warmth that must be dissipated, necessitating a devoted cooling system. This presents a posh problem for each hybrid and electrical methods. In F1, as an illustration, the place batteries have to ship important vitality and are positioned to maintain the middle of gravity low and keep aerodynamic effectivity, discovering the precise steadiness between reliability and efficiency is important.
“The design and improvement of cooling methods range relying on necessities as a result of battery packs with very excessive C-rates generate a variety of warmth in every cell, so an environment friendly method to dissipate that warmth should be devised,” Ciancetti explains.
Podium begins battery improvement with a mathematical mannequin that defines the primary facets of the system earlier than delving into particulars. “We now stay in an period the place design is mostly model-based. Whether or not it’s for a automobile 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 part across the cell, together with the module idea, cooling methods, connections, and different facets.”
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
