Look around you. Our everyday cars are changing. Progressively, sure, but they’re changing and evolving nonetheless. Remember the first hybrid cars introduced a little over twelve years ago?
Well, a similar mutation is taking place in the world of motorsports. Who would’ve thought a turbo diesel car, with a tractor engine, could win the 24 Hours of Le Mans? Who would’ve though a hybrid F1 car featuring KERS would win a Grand Prix?
And who could’ve predicted we’d be seeing a Paris Bercy Masters Kart with electric karts in December? Or that the FIA would soon be establishing a Formula E series, “E” as in “Electric”?
So I find it amusing to read comments from racing fans saying there’s no room for these new technologies in Forumla 1 racing. “Electric F1s? Never!” I read on our Facebook page. And yet…
F1 cars will be partially electric as of next season, as they will be required to run on their electric engine in the pit lane. The tires will now be changed in utter silence!
I completely understand why most people are vehemently opposed. Human beings hate change, especially the destabilizing kind.
But we have to face the facts: motorsports, including F1 racing, are undergoing a complete transformation. The organizations that govern car racing are on a crusade against waste. Tires, fuel, oil, metals, if it can be recycled, it will.
Auto racing needs to set the example. Those big thirsty engines will soon pass into history. Sure, the races might not be quite as thrilling, but they will improve our quality of life. The show will be different, but we’ll get used to it. Like we got used to buckling our seat belts or using ABS.
Well, a similar mutation is taking place in the world of motorsports. Who would’ve thought a turbo diesel car, with a tractor engine, could win the 24 Hours of Le Mans? Who would’ve though a hybrid F1 car featuring KERS would win a Grand Prix?
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| Photo: Audi |
And who could’ve predicted we’d be seeing a Paris Bercy Masters Kart with electric karts in December? Or that the FIA would soon be establishing a Formula E series, “E” as in “Electric”?
So I find it amusing to read comments from racing fans saying there’s no room for these new technologies in Forumla 1 racing. “Electric F1s? Never!” I read on our Facebook page. And yet…
F1 cars will be partially electric as of next season, as they will be required to run on their electric engine in the pit lane. The tires will now be changed in utter silence!
I completely understand why most people are vehemently opposed. Human beings hate change, especially the destabilizing kind.
But we have to face the facts: motorsports, including F1 racing, are undergoing a complete transformation. The organizations that govern car racing are on a crusade against waste. Tires, fuel, oil, metals, if it can be recycled, it will.
Auto racing needs to set the example. Those big thirsty engines will soon pass into history. Sure, the races might not be quite as thrilling, but they will improve our quality of life. The show will be different, but we’ll get used to it. Like we got used to buckling our seat belts or using ABS.