Hybrid Engines And F1 Cars
Since 2009 season, F1 cars have been equipped with energy recovering systems. Mainly the KERS which recovers the braking energy. But it is truly in 2014 that the hybrid engine era started in F1. These new V6 engines introduced in 2014 are, as stated by Andrew Green Racing Point’s technical director: “too incredible”. These new engines have a thermal efficiency of more than 50 per cent to be compared to the 29 per cent that the pre-2014 engines had. They are more powerful than the previously used engines, they are more efficient and yet they require less fuel.
The hybrid era was started by F1 for one obvious reason: in a world where the environmental crisis is gaining traction, you just can’t keep using the supercharged V8 engines. This choice also led to some problems mainly fans claiming that the sport has become less exciting due to the new engines. Problems include the sound of these engines, which is less “sexy”, the huge development costs needed in order to develop a competitive engine which effectively make the F1 championship more predictable.
We will cover all of this below. So keep reading.
The Introduction of Hybrid Engines in F1
As stated in the intro, before 2014 the F1 engines were V8 engines. In 2009, the KERS was introduced. KERS stands for Kinetic Recovery Energy System.

This system recovers the braking energy and allows the drivers to use it in order to gain power by pushing a button. The power increase by lap is limited to 400 Kj. This system produces an increase of 80 horsepower during 6,67 seconds. It allows a saving of 1,5 litres of fuel by the end of a Grand Prix. Its heaviness and high cost of development coupled to the fact that on some circuits the yield of the system wasn’t satisfying made the F1 teams use this system intermittently. The system was truly used by all teams in 2011.
In 2014, F1 rules were changed to accommodate a new V6 1,6L engine including a double kinetic energy recovering system that replaced the KERS introduced in 2009: the MGU-K & the MGU-H.
The MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic) is an electrical engine that can be reversed into a power unit, linked to the mechanical transmission. It recovers the braking energy and gives it back during acceleration. The MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit – Heat), is also an electrical engine that can be reversed into a power unit, linked to the turbo compressor allowing it to recover the energy of exhaust gas. It helps launch back the turbo before accelerations.

The introduction of the MGU-H, MHU-K and V6 engine resulted in a decrease of 35% of the fuel consummated during the season. The engine and the energy recovery system have a total power output of 1000 horsepower.
Following the introduction of the system in 2014 and the many developments that went on, today the MGU-K system is capable of delivering 120 kW, or 160 horsepower, almost all the time. All the teams have roughly the same system set up, the difference in performance comes from the thermic engine. The most powerful engine is held by Mercedes.
Hybrid engines VS 2009 V8 engines
Here is the table showing the comparison between the post 2014 hybrid engines and the pre-2014 engines.
Engine comparison | Configuration | Max displacement | Rev. Limit (rpm) | Cylinders | Power | Fuel consumption |
Hybrid Engine | 4 strokes | 1.6 L | 15 000 | 90° V6 | 1000 hp | 40-45L for 100 km |
Pre-2014 V8 Engine | 4 strokes | 2.4 L | 18 000 | 90° V8 | 750 hp | 75L for 100 km |

The diminution of fuel consumption allowed by the hybrid engine made the FIA limit the total fuel a car can use to 105 kg of fuel per race. The new engines are more powerful, more ecofriendly and use less fuel for 100 km. So if these engines are so great why are the fans screaming?
The Negative Impact of Hybrid Engines on F1
First, they are maybe trying to compensate for the loss of sound. The pre-2014 engines produce 145 decibels. This is to be compared to the 134 decibels produces by the new hybrid engines (as a reminder a plane produces 130 decibels during takeoff). Both engines are really loud. It is just that the old ones were a bit louder than the new ones.
Secondly, since the introduction of the hybrid engines, Mercedes won all the titles. They have the best engine and since the development cost is really high no one can really compete with them. According to a Forbes study, Mercedes spent $247 million during the 2017 season to develop their engine. For instance, Renault which is a long-standing middle-of-the-pack F1 team, had a total budget of $272 million for the 2019 season making it hard to compete.
Having this in mind the FIA will change the regulations for 2022 and beyond.
The Future of F1 Engines
The FIA started to negotiate with the engine manufacturers on a new set of engine rules that will go into force from 2022 and beyond. The aim of the new regulations is to cut the development costs, simplify the design and allow new engine manufacturer to enter F1. The V6 1.6 L engine will likely be retained but not its complex parts, such as the MGU-H. The MGU-K will be more powerful and managed by the driver in order to increase its tactical use.
To Conclude
F1 cars are indeed hybrid since 2014 with a very efficient technology that makes these new engines more efficient, more powerful and more fuel savvy. As all the evolving organizations, F1 will adapt these new engines in order to correct their flaws and get back as much they can from them. Overall, we can say this is going in the right path environmentally. F1 needs to show the example as it is a sport with a huge following. But these changes also impacted the sport negatively mainly due to the development cost and complexity of these new engines. Hopefully, F1 will have these issues sorted out by 2022 when the new regulation will come out.