There is just over a month to go before the start of pre-season testing and all teams are working on new cars at maximum intensity. At the same time, there has been a moratorium on modernization of power plants since last year, but that does not mean that sitters have less to worry about this winter.
Firstly, new chassis are always new layout solutions, including the location of the cooling system components, and the best approach must be found now so as not to return to this during the season, which is extremely difficult and costly.
Secondly, it is not allowed to upgrade combustion engines to increase their efficiency, but work to improve reliability is allowed under the supervision of the FIA. However, these measures also lead to some power increase, and although exact information is lacking, Gazzetta dello Sport writes that Ferrari mechanics are rumored to have achieved the greatest power increase.
Engines made in Maranello will gain 30 horsepower in 2023, with Mercedes reaching 16 horsepower and Red Bull/Honda 10 horsepower.
Ferrari had major reliability issues with the 066/7 series powerplants last year, especially with the MGU-H turbine and motor generator, and it seems to be related to the TJI (Turbulent Jet Ignition) ignition system.
Because of all this last year, the Scuderia drivers were forced to reduce engine power, but during troubleshooting they managed to compensate and even achieve some increase.
Mercedes HPP’s engine division focused on reducing internal friction between engine components, while Petronas developed new lubricants that also had a positive impact on efficiency.
Honda focused on improving the reliability of the MGU-H and MGU-K engine generators, as well as a number of internal engine components, while achieving a significant reduction in energy losses.
According to Gazzetta, Alpine was skeptical of the official explanation for the need for all this activity from rivals, thinking it was not just to improve reliability. According to rumors, the French motorists have also taken certain measures to make their power plants more reliable, but at the same time the power remained approximately at last year’s level.
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
