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McLaren has eye on electric race series
Source: Agencies |
September 5, 2012, Wednesday
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FORMULA One giant McLaren is keen to be involved in a new global electric motor racing series set to start in 2014 and could even enter a team at some stage, according to principal Martin Whitmarsh.
The Formula E series, to be promoted by a Hong Kong-based consortium led by Spanish businessmen, will be sanctioned by the governing International Automobile Federation with plans for a grid of 10 teams and 20 drivers. The plan is for hour-long city-center races in at least 10 different landmark locations around the world with drivers having to change cars at pitstops due to the batteries lasting only 15-20 minutes.
The world of Formula One, a series on the cutting-edge of technology but still one where the ear-splitting roar of a V8 engine is a key attraction for 'petrolhead' fans, is keeping a close watch on what promises to be a silent revolution.
"I think there's quite a lot of interest... it's something that McLaren would be delighted to be involved with so we're obviously looking at it at the moment. Who knows, we might pop up in it," Whitmarsh said. "I think we're looking at all sorts of things. I think it's a good initiative and we'd be delighted in whatever form to be involved with it."
Asked whether McLaren might consider entering a team in the series, Whitmarsh replied: "At some point, yes. But that's not at the moment. We are looking at the technology challenge and how we can contribute there. But I think the sport has to evolve and change and I personally think they are good technical challenges and those are the things McLaren enjoys and flourishes at."
Technology leap
Formula One already uses KERS kinetic energy recovery systems and will take another technology leap in 2014 when a new 1.6 liter turbo-charged V6 engine is due to be introduced.
The lack of noise has been singled out as a possible danger as well as a turn-off for fans but others see the silence as another potential benefit even if the technology is already available to create synthetic engine sounds.
Whitmarsh said he had driven an all-electric Nissan Leaf with his family recently and, while he found it an eerie experience, his children loved it. "What we've got to appeal to isn't old buggers like us," he smiled. "We've got to be looking to the future and the sport has to be socially relevant."
The Formula E series, to be promoted by a Hong Kong-based consortium led by Spanish businessmen, will be sanctioned by the governing International Automobile Federation with plans for a grid of 10 teams and 20 drivers. The plan is for hour-long city-center races in at least 10 different landmark locations around the world with drivers having to change cars at pitstops due to the batteries lasting only 15-20 minutes.
The world of Formula One, a series on the cutting-edge of technology but still one where the ear-splitting roar of a V8 engine is a key attraction for 'petrolhead' fans, is keeping a close watch on what promises to be a silent revolution.
"I think there's quite a lot of interest... it's something that McLaren would be delighted to be involved with so we're obviously looking at it at the moment. Who knows, we might pop up in it," Whitmarsh said. "I think we're looking at all sorts of things. I think it's a good initiative and we'd be delighted in whatever form to be involved with it."
Asked whether McLaren might consider entering a team in the series, Whitmarsh replied: "At some point, yes. But that's not at the moment. We are looking at the technology challenge and how we can contribute there. But I think the sport has to evolve and change and I personally think they are good technical challenges and those are the things McLaren enjoys and flourishes at."
Technology leap
Formula One already uses KERS kinetic energy recovery systems and will take another technology leap in 2014 when a new 1.6 liter turbo-charged V6 engine is due to be introduced.
The lack of noise has been singled out as a possible danger as well as a turn-off for fans but others see the silence as another potential benefit even if the technology is already available to create synthetic engine sounds.
Whitmarsh said he had driven an all-electric Nissan Leaf with his family recently and, while he found it an eerie experience, his children loved it. "What we've got to appeal to isn't old buggers like us," he smiled. "We've got to be looking to the future and the sport has to be socially relevant."
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