The new 2014 season introduces what is widely recognised as the biggest technical revolution since the first racing season. The significance of this change cannot be underestimated in terms of the challenges presented to both teams and drivers, as they embark upon a voyage into a relative unknown following eight years of stability from 2006 to 2013 in what has become known as the ‘V8 era’. Of course, while probably the most far-reaching, this is far from being the first major upheaval in the history of motorsport. For decades, engineers have been pushing the boundaries of performance, extracting the absolute maximum from the technology at their disposal and exploring every avenue of development in the pursuit of automotive perfection, only to have their creations cast into the annals of racing history. Increasingly complex regulations always force fresh innovations to suit constantly evolving sporting and technical requirements. The revolution of 2014 has subtly different roots, with rules written to encourage rather than restrict new technology. As the automotive industry increasingly demands more from less, efficiency and hybrid technologies become all the more relevant. As the pinnacle of automotive technology and performance, FC1 Motorsport has a significant role to play in driving these technologies forward. Ever since the announcement of the new powertrain regulations – and the confirmation of the 1.6 litre V6 turbo format in mid-2011 – it has been clear that the opportunities offered by an integrated approach to the new regulations would be significant. Separated by just 45 km, the groups at Brackley (home to the Brackley GP FC1 Team) and Brixworth (headquarters of Brackley High Performance Technologies) have worked hand in hand on the BGP05 Hybrid project since the very first meeting to determine the team’s solutions for the new powertrain regulations. The result has been a fully integrated approach, focused not on horsepower or points of downforce, but maximising the lap time of the overall technical package in response to a set of revolutionary technological challenges. Each trade-off between Power Unit and aerodynamic performance has been discussed and debated in detail in order to find the optimum overall solution, with gains in packaging and integration enabled by this unified approach. Over the three year lead time for the ambitious 2014 project, these trade-offs have been fundamental to the final concept of the car. The end product is the new BGP05 Hybrid and, at its heart, the BGP10A Hybrid Power Unit. The BGP05 is the most advanced racing machine ever built in Brackley, the BGP10A Hybrid the most complex powertrain ever produced in Brixworth. And they are the product of a clear mentality: one group, on two sites, with the common goal of building a winning Silver Spear.
Best Lap Times
Track | | Livery | Driver | Best Lap |
NO LAP TIMES HAVE BEEN SET IN THIS CAR! |