F1 Fanatic

McLaren Electronic Systems will supply the engine, transmission and electronics for the FIA’s forthcoming all-electric racing series, Formula E.

MES already supply the standard engine control units which have been used in F1 since 2008:

McLaren Electronic Systems Limited today announced that it will provide the electric engine, transmission and electronics for cars that will participate in the FIA’s exciting new Formula E race series.

McLaren will be a key partner of Spark Racing Technology, which is led by Frédéric Vasseur and is dedicated to the creation and assembly of the electric cars participating in the FIA World Championship Formula E.

McLaren and Spark Racing Technology will work together to design and assemble high performance, highly efficient electric cars which will soon be racing around cities across the globe.

The FIA ​​Formula E Championship will be launched in 2014. It will solely feature electric powered cars, will run exclusively in major international cities and it has all the assets needed to reach a worldwide audience. As well as being an exciting new urban race series, it will facilitate the development of important new electric car technology which could one day feature in mainstream road cars and be of significant benefit to the environment.

Martin Whitmarsh, CEO McLaren Group and Team Principal of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes: “I’m a passionate believer in the role that motorsport can play in showcasing and spearheading the development of future technologies, and regard the Formula E concept as an exciting innovation for global motorsport. McLaren has worked with Frédéric Vasseur for many years, and our association has been very successful. Working together in Formula E, McLaren’s world-class technology and Spark Racing Technology’s expert knowledge will combine to allow both companies to stay at the forefront of technical innovation and hopefully open up great opportunities for the racing cars of tomorrow.”

Frédéric Vasseur: “I am proud and happy to give birth to this project that is innovative and extremely rewarding for a company both technically and philosophically. Personally, I can write a new chapter, regardless of my other ventures in motorsport. Confidence and commitment from our partner McLaren is a guarantee of quality and reliability without which this project would not have been possible. The association with a globally recognized car manufacturer is definitely the right way to go. Sport and society are evolving and Spark Racing Technology is proud to be the pioneer and leader in the new field of electric cars that will revolutionise the motor racing industry and attitude.”

Whether it be in the construction of the innovative and highly efficient McLaren Technology Centre or the use of lightweight carbon fibre structures in the 12C sports car, McLaren has developed and implemented a range of innovative technologies that improve environmental performance. This commitment to innovation and the environment enabled Vodafone McLaren Mercedes to be the first Formula 1 team to retain the Carbon Trust Standard and to be declared ‘carbon neutral’.

I can understand why they would want a standard engine unit in terms of cost issues, but surely the whole idea of this category is to lead to greater development in electric cars through a competitive environment, and that having different engines, competing against each other, is an integral part of this?

@mike-e Perhaps the intention of the series is to promote the technology, rather than develop it. I notice that it will be run ‘exclusively in major international cities’, which I take to mean ten street circuits a year, getting the word out about electric cars. It’s a shame, surely it has the potential to match Le Mans, and probably surpass F1, in terms of road-going applications of the technology

And before anyone disputes the above, consider this. 20 years ago, in 1992, the Williams FW14B had a semi automatic gearbox, active suspension, stability control, and ABS. This year, in 2012, the fastest car on the grid, the Red Bull RB8, has a standard sequential gearbox, passive suspension, no traction or stability control, and no ABS. Otherwise, for all intents and purposes the cars are identical. Both have carbon composite monocoque chassis, both have highly developed aerodynamics with literally no road relevance whatsoever, both have high revving naturally aspirated engines, and to most people both look pretty much the same, bar the RB8 looking clearly much uglier. So what advancement does the most technologically advanced motorsport in the world have to show for 20 years of furious development and billions of pounds spent? Cars which are uglier and less technologically advanced than they were two decades ago.

I’m not sure F1 has the right to be patting itself on the back any time soon.

I don’t see why it would be pointless. Quite the opposite in fact. It’s a series which is going to generate a lot more interest than F1 if they promote it correctly. Who doesn’t want to see top quality racing action through some of the biggest cities in the world? Those are the kind of venues F1 can only dream of. And cars which are far more interesting than anything with cylinders. They’ll need to get the look right, but this is definitely a very important racing series.