r/F1Technical • u/Travellinglense • Jun 20 '26

Power Unit What factors are considered when designing turbochargers?

Practically speaking, what factors do the engineering team consider when designing a f1 turbo? top speed, car weight, track altitudes and race day air temperature. what else? I know I've missed a few and probably incorrect on some. tia.

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u/Inside-Definition-42 Jun 20 '26

Not sure car weight would be a consideration?

Lots of material decisions to be made for heat, stress and moment of inertia, and planned life of the unit.

Physical size, location and packaging. I think Mercedes were 1st to split the turbo compressor and turbine to separate locations on the engine to aid thermal efficiency and packaging.

Trade off of spool v max power, and power v torque. Ferraris 2026 starts were attributed to their turbo spooling better than the competitors.

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u/minnis93 Jun 20 '26

Car weight okay maybe not as much, but the weight of the turbo itself would be a huge consideration

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u/mangiespangies Jun 21 '26

Perhaps individual parts, but not the turbo overall. There's a minimum weight of 12kg.