In the second installment of OptimumG’s Q&A video series, Bruno Finco, one of the company’s research and development engineers, answers questions about vehicle setup and design.

Topics discussed during the video include how to calculate the correct spring stiffness for a Baja car, how to set the optimal damping ratios for bump and rebound, and the best setup changes to address low speed cornering issues.

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The FIA Formula 2 Championship has unveiled the F2 2024 race car that will be used in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 seasons. It has been designed to be as close as possible to an F1 car in terms of its safety, style, systems, performance, sustainability and accessibility. Changes have also been made to the nose, front and rear wings and floor to encourage closer racing.

The F2 2024 race car will continue to be powered by a 3.4-liter turbocharged Mecachrome engine that has undergone several revisions to enable the use of Aramco synthetic sustainable fuel, which is scheduled to be introduced for the 2025 season. During the 2024 season, the car will continue using Aramco’s 55% bio-sourced sustainable fuel.

Due to the FIA’s new specifications for 2024, next year’s F2 car features other newly designed systems to enhance braking, steering effort and ergonomics to enable the car to accommodate more drivers. The electronics have also been improved with the addition of a new Marelli vehicle control unit.

Having completed a successful shakedown test in Varano, Italy, in July 2023, the vehicle will continue its development program with several further tests planned during the remainder of 2023. A considerable amount of driving will be carried out to ensure the vehicle is reliable before being delivered to competing teams, with additional development planned for 2024-2026 before the target of using 100% sustainable fuels in 2027.

The first car will be delivered to the teams before the end of 2023, and the second car in mid-January 2024. The teams will conduct a shakedown test with one car before the official pre-season test.

“F2 consistently delivers excellent racing and acts as an important training ground for future members of the Formula 1 grid, and by bringing the design philosophies of the two cars closer together we will support this development further,” commented Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1. “The new F2 car is also an important symbol for our sustainability journey as the series continues to pioneer advanced sustainable fuel, which will become a part of F1 from 2026.”

“I’m very proud to present our new F2 car, which will race for the next three years,” added Bruno Michel, CEO of the FIA Formula 2 Championship. “Together with the FIA, we’ve designed a powerful, challenging and safe car that will prepare young drivers for F1, and that will continue to provide great racing and a lot of overtaking opportunities – something that the fans expect from F2.

“It has been designed also to fit all types of drivers, taking into account FIA’s consideration regarding the steering effort. This is obviously key to making our sport more inclusive, by enhancing our car’s driveability and comfort. One of our main focuses remains cost control. So, we have kept the same engine and gearbox, and there are a lot of carried-over parts from the previous car. Finally, we made sure that the teams can manage this new car with 12 operational people, as per the sporting regulations.”

For more on new competition cars, please click here.

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From 2025, the FIA and Extreme E will host ‘Extreme H’, claimed as the world’s first ever off-road SUV hydrogen racing championship. Having signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding, the duo will establish a framework to create the series.

The document forms the first part in establishing the Extreme H hydrogen championship, which seeks to become an FIA Championship from its first season in 2025. By 2026, it is anticipated that the series will become an FIA World Championship if the requisite criteria can be met.

If successful, Extreme H will join seven other official FIA World Championships. The duo’s pathway demonstrates the series’ progression since its inception in 2021, in addition to being a strong statement of intent for its growth toward a hydrogen-powered future.

At present, Extreme H is under development and plans are in place to launch a prototype vehicle in late 2023 ahead of the 2025 season.

“Using sustainable power sources in motorsport is the key objective of the FIA and part of our long-term strategy, and this series is an ideal showcase for that,” explained Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president, FIA. “Hydrogen is an important part of that mix, and we have developed a set of safety regulations for hydrogen-powered vehicles which is part of the FIA’s International Sporting Code. Having the technology tested in the harsh environment of off-road racing in all types of conditions should benefit the whole industry, and in the longer term make mobility more environmentally friendly for everyday users of the road.”

“Establishing alongside the FIA a world-first hydrogen racing world championship will be a momentous milestone for Extreme E and the new Extreme H series,” added Alejandro Agag, founder and CEO, Extreme E. “Eventual accreditation as an FIA Championship and then an FIA World Championship means we would be amongst the top tier of global motorsport categories, and Extreme H would be the first-ever world championship racing series of its kind. This announcement is a significant first step in the development of our championship and our groundbreaking transition to hydrogen-powered racing.

For more Extreme E news, click here.

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McLaren Applied has launched the IPG5-x, a highly flexible 800V silicon carbide (SiC) inverter that can be integrated into electric drive units. Described as an adaptation of the company’s current 800V SiC inverter (the IPG5), the IPG5-x will be available alongside the previous version, depending on use case.

The IPG5-x is designed to work with a range of motors and transmissions. The ‘x’ in the name denotes a product developed for collaboration between McLaren Applied and Tier 1s and OEMs seeking to bring electric drive units to the market more quickly and at a more competitive price.

At present, McLaren Applied is working with Tremec – a supplier of transmissions – to develop an electric drive unit for the company’s first customer vehicle application.

“In our discussions with customers and partners, it’s become clear that OEMs are increasingly looking for the option to source integrated EDUs that save space and cost and speed up development time,” commented Paolo Bargiacchi, head of product at McLaren Applied. “We’ve developed the IPG5-x to be highly flexible, so it’s ready to be integrated within any combination of motor and transmission. It carries over all of our standalone IPG5’s qualities – peak efficiencies over 99%, continuously variable switching and fine motor control – building on the maturity of that product.”

McLaren Applied claims that the IPG5-x delivers best-in-class fine motor control and high efficiency through continuously variable switching frequencies.

“The immediate focus must be on achieving greater drivetrain efficiency and cost reduction, which you can do through a product like IPG5-x,” added Bargiacchi. “The competitive landscape is ramping up significantly now that all manufacturers have established their product entry points.

“Models based on dedicated 800V SiC architectures are leading the way, driving a virtuous cycle: an efficient drivetrain inherently has a smaller battery, which makes the vehicle cheaper, lighter and easier to control, and offers a smaller embedded and operating carbon footprint. It also increases range and speeds up charge times, building trust in the technology.”

For more on engine technology, please click here.

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ExxonMobil has revealed a new Mobil 1 three-in-one thermal management fluid developed for all-electric racing. The company’s latest product has been engineered specifically for use by the Porsche GT4 e-Performance – a concept race car with a unique cooling system.

With a drivetrain capable of delivering a peak output of up to 800kW (1,104ps), the Porsche GT4 e-Performance is viewed as an important test vehicle for the future of all-electric racing. Its advanced direct oil cooling system counteracts thermal derating, ensuring the GT4 e-Performance can maintain constant power output in race mode for up to 30 minutes.

Equipped with 900V technology, the vehicle’s battery can be charged from 5-80% in 15 minutes. When used in a race scenario, the equipment places considerable stress on the Porsche’s thermal management system. This has been overcome through the collaborative development of the Mobil 1, three-in-one thermal management fluid.

“Our long-term collaboration with Porsche allows us to push boundaries, both in terms of combustion engine lubrication and fluids for emerging EV designs like the Porsche GT4 e-Performance,” said Tobias Klande, technology solution professional at ExxonMobil’s European Product Technology Centre (EPTC) in Hamburg. “This new Mobil 1 fluid shows how, together, we’re testing and developing new concepts under the toughest conditions to find e-mobility solutions for the commercial production of tomorrow.”

“We now have a single Mobil 1 thermal management fluid that we can use across all three components of the cooling system, helping to reduce overall system weight,” explained Rüdiger Klutinus, a Porsche HV engineer. “It helps optimize power delivery during acceleration and recuperation, extend battery life and enable faster charging during breaks to help increase track times. It also delivers enhanced e-motor durability and power electronics efficiency, providing sustained power for longer.”

For more on electric motorsport, please click here.

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Bespoke tires developed using 63% recycled and renewable materials will be supplied by Bridgestone for the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC) – a 3,000km race across Australia. The tires are the first to be used in motorsport competition with Bridgestone’s Enliten technology.

Enliten – a new base technology for product design – enhances a tire’s environmental performance. The advanced performance characteristics engineered by Bridgestone include low rolling resistance, wear and weight. The tires will be further customized to ensure they meet the requirements of each team entering the competition.

One of the tires Bridgestone is supplying consists of 63% recycled and renewable materials; tires used in the 2019 competition contained 30%. The materials used within the latest tires include organic fiber, recovered carbon black, recycled rubber chemicals, recycled oil and reinforcement material using recycled steel. Tires designed for fitment to vehicles within the cruiser class were developed using rice husk silica and recovered carbon black.

“Bridgestone is passionate about contributing to a more sustainable motorsports future at the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge through our Enliten tires made with 63% recycled and renewable materials, as well as our collaborative supply chain initiatives. We will demonstrate the new technology through the extreme conditions,” said Naotaka Horio, director of Bridgestone Motorsports.

For more on tires, please click here.

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An AB Dynamics’ advanced Vehicle Driving Simulator (aVDS) is scheduled to be installed in Q4 2023 at Pratt Miller, a motorsport, automotive and defense engineering consultancy. It is estimated that the aVDS driver-in-the-loop (DIL) simulator will be fully operational in January 2024.

Using high bandwidth linear actuators, the simulator is capable of delivering 6DOF dynamic performance, in addition to high acceleration and frequency response and minimal latency across the full range of motion. To enhance the driving experience further, the aVDS can be used with virtual content from rFpro.

The motion platform can be configured for payloads up to 500kg and as a result can be used for a range of applications, including vehicle dynamics, ADAS and autonomous systems, durability, hardware-in-the-loop, software-in-the-loop and driver monitoring.

“The acquisition of the DIL system aligns perfectly with Pratt Miller’s commitment to driving technological excellence across the markets we serve,” said Matt Carroll, Pratt Miller CEO. “The DIL is just one more advanced tool in our product development toolbox, enabling our team to do their jobs faster, better and more efficiently than the day before. And when our team is faster, better and more efficient, so are our customers. It’s quite literally a win-win.”

“Pratt Miller is a world-class expert in its field, having had success in NASCAR, IndyCar, IMSA and WEC, including nine Le Mans class wins,” added Dave Kirkman, technical director at AB Dynamics. “It has unparalleled expertise in extracting maximum value from DIL technology. This recent acquisition, following Pratt Miller’s thorough market assessment, is further proof of the ongoing effectiveness of the aVDS for both high-level motorsport and automotive vehicle development. We look forward to seeing continued success for Pratt Miller both on and off the racetrack.”

Click here to read more simulation news

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The FIA has announced that Holmatro, a supplier of hydraulic rescue equipment, will remain as an FIA Official Supplier and will continue to supply its latest technologies to FIA club members for an additional year.

Through the agreement, Holmatro will work with the FIA Safety Department to ensure the advanced equipment is available to local crews to deliver the highest level of safety standards. National Sporting Authorities will also have direct access to Holmatro rescue equipment for their racing series through the FIA.

Holmatro’s proprietary rescue equipment aids in the quick and safe extrication of drivers following accidents at race circuits; its cordless Pentheon tools enable drivers to be taken out of roll cages and carbon-fiber monocoques.

“We are pleased to extend our relationship with Holmatro for the supply of state-of-the-art rescue equipment as part of the FIA’s ongoing efforts to deliver the highest-possible safety standards in motorsport,” said Nuno Costa, director, FIA Safety Department.

Harm Hermans, CEO, Holmatro, said, “Holmatro is proud to remain official supplier to the FIA and bring our rescue equipment to circuits worldwide. We believe in constant improvement and innovation when it comes to making the world safer, healthier and more productive, and this is a further demonstration of the quality of our world-class tools and extrication training and consultancy.”

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Following a five-year partnership with the T4 karting series, Maxxis and Tillotson have announced that they are to extend their partnership. Maxxis will sponsor the International Tillotson T4 Series and T4 Nations Cup for three more years.

Maxxis has been the official development and testing partner of Schuurman BV for karting tires since 1986, and this relationship will continue. The two companies work collaboratively to ensure tire products meet the karting sector’s requirements, in addition to homologation rules set out by the FIA. As a result of the partnership, the Maxxis T4 tire is now used within the international T4 categories.

“This is a landmark partnership in the karting world. Maxxis has been an integral part of the success of the T4 series from the beginning,” said Charles Demirjian, president of Tillotson. “We look forward to our continued collaboration as we grow both brands and provide the best karting experience possible to pilots around the world.”

“We are very proud to be part of this unique process of creating a class-specific T4 tire, as well as the new and exciting sponsorship to which Tillotson and Maxxis have agreed,” commented a Schuurman BV official.

It is anticipated that the new deal will help the series and cup to grow.

For more on tires, please click here.

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Motorsports events taking place in New South Wales (NSW) will be overseen by Motorsport Australia, the state’s new sports controlling body.

The news of the new approval – announced by Liquor & Gaming NSW – will enable Motorsport Australia to enhance its powers in the sector, in addition to the already existing Competition Manipulation and Sport Wagering Policy as part of Motorsport Australia’s broader National Integrity Framework.

The recognition will ensure that Motorsport Australia has oversight of the betting market – including disallowing contingencies that may be a risk of manipulation.

“This is a further vote of confidence in our commitment and dedication to integrity and the extensive policies that are in place to ensure our sport is safe, fair and equitable,” said Eugene Arocca, CEO, Motorsport Australia.

“As the only governing body for four-wheel motorsport recognized by the Australian Sports Commission, this additional approval further enhances the sport’s reputation in Australia.

“Importantly it also provides assurances to competitors and event organizers that events run under Motorsport Australia sanction are supported by these policies that have been approved by the Australian Sports Commission and Sport Integrity Australia.”

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