The 12 months 2025 marks the ultimate Components 1 season for energy models launched with the 2014 laws. Regardless of an extended 12-season interval, together with solely 9 years of unrestricted improvement earlier than the freeze in 2022, the technical cycle concludes with out absolute convergence, with two equally legitimate philosophies. Till the top, Ferrari has remained the only 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 vitality, however it may possibly 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 12 months, it was speculated that Ferrari may additionally 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 take care of this answer, which is uncommon in comparison with our rivals. The selection was to maintain a compact turbo-MGU-H meeting moderately 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 realized 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 without doubt one of the finest compromises.”
The choice for one idea over one other is determined by the facets chosen to be prioritized, aiming for the absolute 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 automotive’s bodywork. Nonetheless, the equation additionally contains the shapes of the consumption and exhaust ducts, the air and gasoline strain losses inside them, the usable engine energy, and {the electrical} vitality that may be regenerated by way of the MGU-H. “From the attitude of energy unit efficiency, we’d like a sure degree of energy obtained by way of vitality regeneration,” Tanabe defined in 2021. “The break up turbo package deal may additionally affect aerodynamics, however total, 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 an alternative with its personal path. That is additionally because of totally different selections concerning the compressor, with Ferrari choosing a smaller compressor in comparison with rivals, prioritizing decrease weight, ease of attaining excessive rotational speeds, and higher response at low revs. The compact dimension allowed—and nonetheless permits—Ferrari to suit the turbocharger meeting throughout the house between the cylinder banks, providing comparable advantages to the break up turbo, at the very least by way of dimension and aerodynamics.
The duality between the 2 philosophies is, nonetheless, set to finish within the 2026 Components 1 championship. The upcoming laws, apart from eradicating the MGU-H, impose most and minimal diameters for the turbine and compressor and, most significantly, restrict the space between the 2 elements to 175 mm. The break up turbo is ready to vanish from Components 1 after charming all producers from 2014 to as we speak, although it by no means managed to persuade Ferrari.
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