Behind a single-seater on observe lies an especially advanced world of expertise, technicians, and engineers. Method 1 and Method E share a number of facets but in addition signify two utterly totally different classes in how they conceive automobile growth, each as a result of nature of the automobiles themselves and a few financial constraints.
In Method 1, for instance, whereas remaining inside the regulatory quantity limits, groups have important design freedom on the aerodynamic and chassis fronts, permitting them to discover totally different ideas from workforce to workforce. Conversely, in Method E, it was determined to depend on a single producer for aerodynamics and chassis, leaving extra room for powertrain growth.
It’s exactly within the powertrain area {that a} central distinction emerges within the strategy to growth. Earlier than the freeze on present models, Method 1 allowed steady growth of each {hardware} and software program, for each the inner combustion and electrical elements, making important efficiency leaps potential even throughout the season.
Why FE focuses on software program
Conversely, in FE, growth is split into two approaches: {hardware} growth is proscribed to a two-year cycle, whereas software program growth is totally unrestricted. On the {hardware} facet, as soon as the unit has been homologated, elements can’t be modified for the subsequent two seasons, at the least till the automobile’s evolution is launched. This additionally permits producers to homologate a brand new powertrain that may endure one other two-year cycle.
Nonetheless, whereas {hardware} growth follows a cyclical sample to assist comprise prices in a financially sustainable collection—the place the annual finances per workforce is capped at round €15 million in comparison with Method 1’s present €140 million—the actual battleground in Method E is software program, which is arguably extra immediately related to the automotive trade.
In Method 1, till the freeze in 2022, groups had been allowed 5 updates per season for the ability unit software program linked to the ECU, in addition to for the ERS and management unit purposes. Since 2023, just one software program model per season has been permitted. As soon as the database is ready, groups can alter its utilization based mostly on observe layouts and particular wants. Nonetheless, the core software program stays unchanged, with uncommon alternatives for updates.
In distinction, in Method E, given the FIA-imposed limitations on {hardware} growth, there’s important freedom in software program, which producers usually replace each two to 3 races after a validation section within the simulator. This can be a essential facet for a number of causes: first, as seen up to now two years, it permits important progress within the standings, and second, as a result of nature of the automobiles themselves.
Software program growth improves effectivity
In Method E, effectivity is essential. Every automobile has a set quantity of power to finish the ePrix, however a part of that power doesn’t come from the battery; quite, it’s recovered throughout braking. The extra environment friendly a automobile is at managing power restoration and cost, the higher the benefit it features.
Improvement additionally revolves round how the system recovers power throughout braking or raise and coast, requiring shut collaboration with the driving force’s preferences. Moreover, software program influences how power is deployed and impacts the automobile’s steadiness.
It’s no coincidence that after being developed in specialised departments, software program is validated by drivers within the simulator to evaluate not solely its effectiveness but in addition its affect on automobile conduct. In FE, software program growth is twofold: whereas the bottom software program is designed by the powertrain producer, buyer groups can even modify it.
Usually, past the fastened framework set by the producer for system operation, buyer groups have entry to change 10 to fifteen% of the code for personalisation. This may occasionally appear to be a small margin, but it surely impacts vital facets similar to power restoration parameters, which is why buyer groups can typically problem the producer’s efficiency.
Software program shall be a key consider F1 once more from 2026
In F1, software program growth is at the moment restricted by rules, however from 2026 it should change into a key facet as soon as once more. This isn’t solely as a result of power administration will change into considerably extra advanced, as beforehand analyzed, but in addition as a result of groups shall be allowed to replace software program a number of instances throughout the season.
From 2026, every producer shall be permitted to make use of 5 totally different software program variations per season, reducing to 4 in 2027 and three from 2028 onward. As a result of very nature of the longer term energy models, which can remove the MGU-H, groups could undertake vastly totally different power deployment methods all through a lap, with various acceleration curves relying on whether or not they prioritize higher acceleration or a distinct power distribution.
With the 2026 rules making {the electrical} part the focus—the place energy output is break up 50/50 between the inner combustion engine and the electrical system—power administration will change into a vital issue, and extra environment friendly software program may make a decisive distinction. This won’t solely contain software program growth for enhancing CFD fashions or automobile conduct within the simulator however, maybe most significantly, for optimizing the administration of future energy models.
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