Renault’s vision of Formula 1 ten years from now is more human-centered, signified by a transparent cockpit and helmet that allows a better view of the driver. The lightweight shell is 3D-printed, with forms tailored to the driver’s body.
Active LED lighting incorporated into the wheels is designed to display a range of information, such as the driver’s position and the car’s remaining energy reserves. The color of the LEDs changes from white to blue when the car’s electric mode is activated.
A digital display in the center of the steering wheel informs the driver of their ‘fan ranking’ position, which is determined by spectators’ interaction on social media, rewarding the most deserving driver on the track with an additional boost of power in the last laps.
The cars also incorporate autonomous driving functions as a safety feature, automatically activating for mandatory single-file running and accompanying restrictions (ban on overtaking, speed limits, etc.), minimizing the risk of further accidents.
Other safety features include a polycarbonate canopy and two titanium ‘pop-up’ roll-over bars that rapidly emerge if the car overturns.
On the performance side, the car’s total amount of power is one megawatt and its weight limited to 600 kg. The car’s batteries have twice the energy density of current F1 batteries. Two 250kW electric motors (one at the front, one at the rear) recover the bulk of energy expended in braking.
The power generated by the Kinetic Energy Recovery System is fixed at 500kW (compared to 120kW in 2017).
For more concept car news, check out Mercedes’ 18.5-foot autonomous electric vehicle.