BMW AG is developing hybrid technology for a Formula One race car to hit the track next year, according to Mario Theissen, director of motor sport at the German auto maker.
The team is responding to new rules presented in March by Formula One’s governing body, the Paris-based Federation Internationale de L’Automobile, which will allow Formula One teams to boost the power of their cars using fuel-saving technologies, including hybrid.
“From 2009 BMW will use hybrid technology in Formula One,” Mr. Theissen told guests assembled for the opening of a new BMW dealership in Frankfurt, Germany, late Thursday. Other Formula One teams are expected to explore similar technologies.
The FIA says it issued the new rules to make new fuel-saving technologies the only way that Formula One teams can increase the power of their engines, and so give a boost to research into technologies that can be used in the broader car industry to cut the carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming. Car manufacturers, many of which sponsor
Formula One teams, are under growing pressure to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.
BMW is currently experimenting with individual components including lithium ion batteries and supercapacitors, and plans to have a hybrid car ready for testing this summer, according to the company.
“We believe it will be a competitive advantage to have these technologies,” the BMW spokesman said.
This technology is currently planned for integration in their car to be used in the next Formula-1 season.
The company said that as per the rules of the F-1 governing body, they are going to rely on hybrid technologies to boost the performance of their car.
The rules allow the teams to boost the power of their cars using fuel saving technologies, including hybrid.
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