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Abiteboul: "F1 can’t turn its back on electrification"

Published on 19 Jun 2017 11:11
9
By: Fergal Walsh

Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul has said that Formula 1 mustn't move away from electric power in any future changes to engine rules. As the sport comes close to finalising the engine format for beyond 2020, it's thought that the engines will be simplified going forward, but the Frenchman says this shouldn't mean taking away the electric elements of the power unit.

In light of FIA president Jean Todt’s somewhat controversial comments last week, where he said that F1 will never go fully electric, Abiteboul said: "We do believe in electrification. The world is going towards lower emissions, so Formula 1 cannot turn its back to this evolution so we need electrification.

"All cars will be hybrid in the future. For sure we don’t mean fully electric cars. It is all about balancing between combustion engines – as this is where the DNA of Formula 1 is – and electrification.

"Then it is much about finding the right balance between the technology and the show. Maybe right now we have an engine that is too complex and too heavy – and is not producing enough sound and horsepower. But we are open for any discussions in that direction."

Sam Gale

mbmwe36

Posts: 533

Yes, yes it can.
I'm fine with KERS like it was a few years ago. It didn't matter too much in the grand scheme of things, and was relatively simple. But if you want electrification, there is (the very boring) Formula E

1
Jun 19 2017 - 14:30

F1 News Renault

Replies (9)

f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
It doesn't need to. Fast , close racing is what we want
- + 0
- Jun 19 2017 - 12:49
mbmwe36

Posts: 533
Yes, yes it can.
I'm fine with KERS like it was a few years ago. It didn't matter too much in the grand scheme of things, and was relatively simple. But if you want electrification, there is (the very boring) Formula E
- + 1
- Jun 19 2017 - 14:30
- f1fan0101
  
  Posts: 1,804
  Formula E is far from boring
  + 0
  
  Jun 19 2017 - 14:32
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  WEC has hybrid cars, and nobody bats an eye. It works well, because it is executed in a good way. Regulations are key, and the current ones we have in F1 isnt optimal for hybrid cars.
  + 1
  
  Jun 19 2017 - 18:43
f1dave

Posts: 782
It seems like most of the equipment failures lately are electrical in nature, and yes Formula E is boring !
- + 0
- Jun 19 2017 - 15:23
- StigsSon
  
  Posts: 35
  +1 Formula E IS boring
  + 1
  
  Jun 19 2017 - 15:42
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
They dont need to, but they could lower the emphasis on the electrical bits or otherwise make it more reliable to use. We cant have that reliability decides the outcome of races or even championships, and as it stands this season could very well be decided by that.
- + 1
- Jun 19 2017 - 17:22
- f1dave
  
  Posts: 782
  It's already happened
  + 0
  
  Jun 19 2017 - 18:45
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Well, not yet this season. But I fear it will be decided that way, looking at the amount of turbos Ferrari has used compared to what both Mercedes drivers is using.
  + 0
  
  Jun 19 2017 - 19:22