Formula One cars will recover the energy used in braking to give added power when overtaking. Lee Hibbert examines the technical challenges

摘要

With just over six weeks to go until the start of the Formula One season, the engineers on the rncompeting teams will no doubt be starting to have a few sleepless nights. Indeed, this time around the insomnia is likely to be worse than ever. rnFor the organisers of F1 have introduced a slew of regulations aimed at making the sport greener and more exciting. Principally, this will include the use of kinetic energy recovery systems (Kers), which will store the energy produced under braking in a reservoir (either batteries or flywheel) to release it under acceleration to aid overtaking. rnThe 2009 technical regulations state that Kers should not deliver power in excess of 60kW, which is equivalent to 80hp, when the driver presses a button on the steering wheel. And the car cannot use more than 400kJ per lap.