Does Formula One Technology Filter Through To Road Car Production?

Red Bull Racing. (C)

    Periodically the validity of Formula One is brought into question regarding relevance to the ordinary motorist and modern day road car production. The pinnacle of motorsport to some outsiders seems like a form of motorsport terminally married to massive expenditure that very rarely translates technologically down the line to the average punter. But is this truly the case?
    All F1 teams in their eternal, relentless quest to gain a tenth or two on their opponents have devised new technologies to help propel them to that goal. A lot of these have permeated through to road car manufacturing. Whilst some have been subsequently banned in F1 in the spirit of competition, some are prevalent in road cars to this day. Active suspension, launch control, traction control and the ultra strong carbon fibre to name a few. Now we have kinetic energy recovery systems which harvest the energy when the driver is off the throttle.
    Next year sees F1 dispense with 2.4litre normally aspirated V8's and adopt 1.6litre V6 turbos with the emphasis on energy recovery systems. F1 are already using bio-fuel and from 2014 are mandated to carry a shade over a third of the amount of fuel they currently carry for a race distance, therefore placing the focus firmly on fuel efficiency and energy recovery. Will this increased engine efficiency eventually filter through to road car production? Can F1 be credited for pioneering new technologies that end up benefiting the average motorist? Let us know what you think. Send us an email at: greenflag@formulafrontrow.com or simply leave a comment.
    Can't help but wonder, it's been a while since we've witnessed anyone in F1 run out of fuel. Remember Sir Jack Brabham in his last season in 1970 handing victory to Jochen Rindt at Brands Hatch when he famously ran out of fuel? Big question is though; what will the new turbo 2014 F1 cars sound like? 
    The European F1 season is upon us. Roll on....

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