F1 manufacturers voice concerns on dropping MGU-H in 2021

Formula 1’s power unit manufacturers have voiced concerns about losing the MGU-H unit in the 2021 technical regulations shake-up, with Mercedes’ Andy Cowell seeing it as a “backwards step”.

While the 2021 rule changes are yet to be formally confirmed by the FIA, it is expected the MGU-H unit of the V6 hybrid engines will be dropped with the goal of lowering costs and simplifying the power units.

Honda voiced concerns about losing the MGU-H which have been backed up by Mercedes. Cowell, boss of Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains, has referred to the current engines “as a miracle” and fears dropping the MGU-H will force an increase in fuel usage which he sees as a step away from the current direction of the automotive industry.

“I share the view of Honda. I think the MGU-H has been blamed for the lack of noise, for high complexity. It’s been referred to as a miracle,” Cowell said. “There are four technology companies that have made it work and get 60 per cent of their electrical energy to then power the K.

“It contributes 5% of the thermal efficiency of the power unit and to make up the power difference we’re going to have to increase the fuel flow rate, which I think is a backwards step.

“It’s not progress, so, my view is the H should stay because the development has been done. Removing it removes a lot of energy, which is a lot of car performance.”

Current F1 regulations use the MGU-H as an energy recovery system connected to the turbocharger which converts exhaust gases into reusable energy for the MGU-K or electrical stores (ES) and the unit’s potential energy usage is unlimited while the MGU-K is restricted to 2MJ of energy per lap.

“We will all now start developing anti-lag systems,” Cowell added. “The MGU-H is the most marvellous anti-lag system on a turbocharged engine because it gives you speed control.

“That’s been removed so we’ll now have to come up with various devices and systems and that will probably involve burning some fuel in the exhaust which doesn’t feel like the most honourable thing to do, as an engineer.

“But, as I’ve said previously, it’s a balance between technology and entertainment. We’ve got to get that balance right.”