Honeywell Turbo Development Helps Scuderia Ferrari to Generate More Power in Formula One

More efficient Honeywell turbo applies Aerospace expertise to automotive application

Turbo Technologies has worked with Scuderia Ferrari to develop one of the most efficient turbocharger applications in Honeywell’s history, leading to greater power for the 2015 Formula One season.

The greater engine power is driven by more efficient use of air flow by the turbo’s turbine wheel, which uses exhaust gases to drive a compressor wheel pumping ambient air into the engine. In general, for each percentage point of efficiency gain by the turbine and the compressor wheels, the engine can produce 2kW and 1kW of more power respectively.

Since Formula One adopted new rules in 2014 requiring race cars to be turbocharged, Honeywell has been achieving ever greater levels of turbo efficiency for automotive applications.   By drawing upon its Aerospace technological resources and experience, Honeywell’s automotive turbochargers are approaching standards and sophistication comparable to aviation industry standards.

“When you consider that exhaust gas temperatures approach the temperature of lava, and internal tip speeds for the turbo’s turbine wheel are approaching 600 meters per second, you begin to see the challenges for bringing durability and performance together,” said Craig Balis, vice president and chief technology officer for Honeywell Transportation Systems. “We are bringing the full resources of Honeywell to this opportunity to work with Scuderia Ferrari. It has been a collaborative effort and one that is leading to positive results as we have seen early on with consistent podium finishes and a victory in Malaysia.”

In addition to the team’s victory in Malaysia, the Scuderia Ferrari race cars supported by Honeywell turbos have both finished in the top five in four of the season’s first six races. This includes six podium appearances to date helping the team remain in contention for the 2015 Constructor’s Championship.

The turbo has also kept pace with other engine developments related to adjustments to boost pressures, temperatures and mass flows. Honeywell is also working with advanced bearing systems derived for Aerospace applications as well as optimizing the turbo by reducing weight.

“It’s an awesome opportunity to work with a world-class organization to influence our technology roadmaps for future turbo production for passenger vehicles,” said Balis. “Formula One is the pinnacle of automotive technology on so many levels, and we recognize the opportunity to be a key contributor to Scuderia Ferrari in its quest for another world championship and to further develop our technology portfolio in key areas around electrification and power density.”

The turbocharged 1.6L V6 engine will produce the equivalent power of a production Honeywell turbocharged 16L commercial vehicle engine at a fraction of the size. The new downsized turbo engines are also designed with the latest energy recovery technology to support other systems in the race car.

Honeywell continues to be a leader in global turbo technology, averaging 100 new turbo launches a year for global passenger and commercial vehicle applications in partnership with nearly every major global auto maker. In addition, Honeywell is supporting the industry with hundreds of applications in its development pipeline.