Eli5: How can f1 1.6L engine produce high power and reach high speeds ?

Question

Eli5: How can f1 1.6L engine produce high power and reach high speeds ?

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Answer 1

The 1.6L engine is just the ICE part and it produces about 700-750 hp – there are two additional electric motors that add to the power output. The ICE part is incredibly sophisticated and three main things distinguish f1 engines from “everyday” ICEs:

* Fuel/air mixture is incredibly precise, allowing a more complete burn of the fuel, which produces more power
* Ignition takes place in a pre-ignition chamber rather than the cylinders themselves and a “flame jet” is produced that enters the combustion chamber, adding to the more complete burn (and greater power)
* The tolerances are incredibly precise, allowing the engines to rev to 15,000 rpm (they’re capped at this rate) – numbers like that would tear apart most (likely all) mass produced ICEs – more RPM = more power output (all else being equal)

The two electric motors add about 300 hp combined when needed (at the driver’s discretion). One motor harvests ICE heat and coverts it to energy to be stored (in a battery) or deployed, and the other harvests kinetic energy from braking.