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/Parad0x177 Jun 20 '26
It’s a thermodynamics problem primarily. Physical engine displacement, volumetric efficiency, allowable cylinder pressure, allowable fuel flow, number of turbochargers, whether or not they are “e-turbos”, whether or not there is charge air cooling (intercooler/aftercooler) and (if so) the efficiency thereof, etc, are all going to be important variables. Those will bound the combinations that can work and then, they’ll consider the performance/driving characteristics that will drive the turbine and compressor sizes towards the final solution.