Radical new concept could spark next golden era for Formula 1

As the FIA World Motor Sport Council releases new Formula 1 engine regulations for 2026, a Hamburg-based automotive marketing strategy firm has taken a look at the driving factors behind the sport's many golden eras and found that technological freedom had underpinned each one. Based on their findings, the company has developed a new approach to Formula 1.

The new concept for a golden era outlined by Phantasia Consulting limits the amount of available energy per car rather than the technology. The energy can be used as e-fuel, hydrogen or electricity. Under the concept, screaming V8 engines, highly complex hybrid power trains and road-relevant battery electric racing cars could stand next to each other on the same starting grid.

Read more: Stellantis' European EV sales overtake Tesla, eyes top spot

Phantasia argues these plans could help make Formula 1 become the performance benchmark for the future of mobility again, answering important questions such as which technology is faster using the same amount of energy? The company added that the energy contingent is also the concept's most important parameter for security. If the cars get too fast, the energy can be simply cut down.

The second key pillar of the concept is unlimited aerodynamics, allowing for active aerodynamic concepts – and the transfer of this road-relevant technology to series production.

Under the Phantasia plan, every car would get the energy equivalent of 200kg of petrol for the weekend and the power units could use any ratio of petrol, diesel, electricity and hydrogen. Aerodynamics would be under no restrictions, but the dimensions of the car and tyres, as well as safety requirements and minimum weight, would be the same as in 2022. The concept also keeps the $135 million budget cap per team per year as of 2023.

Read more: Hydrogen vs electric cars: Which are more sustainable?

"The transition to sustainable mobility is the greatest chance to trigger a new golden era in Formula 1. The talent of the world's best engineers and hundreds of millions of dollars should not be wasted on artificial challenges. Which competition platform could drive the development in electric mobility, e-fuels and hydrogen better than the pinnacle of motorsports?" said Wolfgang Philipp, CEO at Phantasia.

- Learn more about the full concept here. 

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