F1 News
Mercedes: 'Formula E engine development benefits F1 engine'
- Nicolás Quarles van Ufford
Director of Mercedes powertrains Andy Cowell has explained how having a works team in Formula E is also benefitting the Formula 1 side of things, as the fully electric engine in FE uses technology which can be translated to the F1 car's hybrid engine.
This season is the first where Mercedes are competing in FE as a works team, with reigning F2 champion Nyck de Vries and former McLaren driver (and GP2 champion) Stoffel Vandoorne behind the wheel.
Although the F1 team has done pretty well without getting input from a dedicated FE team (six consecutive double championships isn't bad is it), Cowell explained how the F1 team has used the work of their electric branch to improve their own powertrain.
"Formula E is a fascinating championship where it's just an electric engine powering the car," Cowell told Speedweek.
"That's why the efficiency of the electromotor, the clutch and the steering are central, but the accuracy of the clutch is also crucial. Some lessons we've learned in the development have found their way into F1."
Cowell also revealed the W11, Mercedes' 2020 F1 challenger, will have Formula E technology on board when the lights go out in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix in March.
"From Melbourne onwards, our hybrid system in Formula 1 will profit from our developments in Formula E. We have made a few improvements in production. We produce our own electromotors and some of the techniques we developed for the Formula E, we now use for the electromotors in Formula 1."