Formula E technology could help F1 reach 1000bhp turbo power units

There were plans early last year to investigate the possibility of ramping F1 power up to the level that proved so spectacular in the 1980s, with a belief the cars would be harder to drive as a result.

The future of the engine formula remains under discussion, with manufacturers working on proposals to cover off engine concerns that are to be submitted to the FIA by Friday, January 15.

Dalla, whose company is responsible for F1's new-for-2016 high-speed camera to assist with accident investigation, believes the championship could use Formula E technology to increase horsepower in the future.

Magneti Marelli has experience in the area, through its plan to build motors for at least two Formula E teams for season three of the all-electric championship.

"The challenge we are taking onboard with Formula E is to develop a high-tech race solution of a 300kw electric motor," Dalla told Autosport.

"In the future, Formula 1 could have the need to have a bigger motor, a bigger ERS, not only 120kw as today but eventually 300kw if you want to have 1000 horsepower engines.

"Considering that we maintain our approach to Formula E to develop the best we could have done from the technical point of view in a sustainable environment, the two areas are not too far.

"We believe tomorrow, this kind of solution will be used in Formula E and help the future direction of Formula 1.

"Formula E, more than Formula 1, will give us the possibility to redefine the electrical architecture of a car - the voltage, the device, etc.

"I'm sure Formula 1 will use this kind of experience and I'm pretty sure sooner or later hydraulics will disappear from a F1 car.

"So what we are learning from Formula E can be used not only for the motor but in general for the electric architecture of the car."

AUTOSPORT SAYS
Lawrence Barretto, F1 reporter (@lawrobarretto)
Formula 1 has always prided itself on being the pinnacle of motorsport and driver of new technology.

So the prospect of taking tech from another championship, in this case Formula E, will not be an enticing one.

However, the future of F1's engine formula is very much up in the air, with the cost of the current unit a major problem.

F1 bosses also want spectacular races and cars with more power that should in turn be much tougher to drive.

The length of ongoing discussions proves achieving those goals is no easy feat, but borrowing tech from Formula E could be part of the solution.

It would be attractive to manufacturers because of its road car relevance and more power could mean better racing.

There's no shame in borrowing technology, it's how F1 uses and develops it that will be crucial if it wants to remain as the pinnacle of motorsport.