Red Bull Motorsports
F1
Supercharge vs. turbocharge in Formula 1: Unraveling the power dynamics
Building an F1 engine today no longer hinges on the supercharge or turbo question, especially as technology allows for more sustainable options.
With race cars that can reach speeds over 220 mph, Formula 1 racing offers a one-of-a-kind thrill. As F1 teams battle it out over several Grand Prix rounds, you’ll all but get hooked on trying to see who's fastest. You might even wonder: How do F1 cars like those you’ll see at Red Bull Energy Station Las Vegas reach g-force-level speeds? The answer lies in the design of an F1 engine.
Max Verstappen on the track during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico
© Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Historically, the internal combustion engine of a Formula 1 car draws high levels of horsepower using supercharging or turbocharging. Each of these forced induction systems comes with its own set of benefits and challenges. In fact, F1 drivers sometime disagree on which system is superior when it comes to power delivery and racing strategy. Read ahead for an overview of the supercharge vs. turbo debate, including how each system works, and where the future of F1 engines is headed.
01
Superchargers in Formula 1
Formula 1 drivers began using supercharged engines to power their way around the track in F1 racing’s nascent stages in the late 1940s. The machinery of a supercharger encompasses an air compressor connected to the car’s engine. The supercharger is linked to the engine’s crankshaft — the powerhouse of an engine’s operational system — with a belt. The supercharger uses engine power to spin, thus pushing air into the engine and giving a race car the extra oomph it needs for acceleration.
With a supercharger, an F1 driver gets an immediate, intense boost in horsepower. Superchargers were incredibly popular in classic F1 cars, including the Alfa Romeo 158/159, a model driven between 1938 and 1953.
Although superchargers offer a significant jolt of power, their fuel efficiency in racing isn’t quite as unbeatable. That’s because superchargers’ power is derived directly from the engine, which also means superchargers can negatively impact your engine’s power in the long run. Sure, superchargers are great for soaring past your opponent on the racetrack, but they might sink your engine performance as time goes on.
02
Turbochargers in Formula 1
A turbocharger is also an air compressor that circulates air through the engine cylinder to add power to an F1’s engine system. Unlike a supercharger, though, turbochargers get their power from the internal combustion engine’s waste exhaust. This technology was pioneered in planes during World War I and wouldn’t enter the F1 world until 1977 with the Renault RS01.
One of the biggest drawbacks of a turbocharger is turbo lag — the time it takes for the engine to attain that precious burst of power. Since turbochargers often take longer to reach peak speeds than superchargers, there may be strategic value to choosing supercharged models. Plus, heat management and additional engine oil plumbing are key since turbocharged engines can reach very high temperatures. However, turbochargers remain significantly more efficient when it comes to overall fuel use.
03
Supercharge vs. turbocharge: The ongoing debate
Max Verstappen on the track during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico
© Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Here’s how each of these F1 power-charging systems measure up in the world of motorsport technology.
Power output:
Although a supercharger provides horsepower more quickly, turbochargers have a higher overall horsepower threshold. A supercharger can add between 50 and 100 units of horsepower, whereas turbochargers can add between 70 and 150 units.
Torque:
When comparing horsepower vs. torque, turbocharging improves upon the latter. Some drivers prefer this increased torque for better overall performance. That’s because torque improves an engine’s capacity for the demands of challenging F1 maneuvers such as powering through steep inclines. Superchargers, on the other hand, aren’t known to significantly impact torque.
Responsiveness:
In terms of reaction time, superchargers have a slight edge. Given the direct connection to the engine, a supercharger responds instantaneously to a driver’s command for acceleration. That’s not to say turbochargers are slow to react. There is, though, slight turbo lag, which can be frustrating for some drivers.
Fuel efficiency:
The horsepower that a supercharger achieves often results in something known as “parasitic loss.” Namely, superchargers use the horsepower they generate to power their operations, hence the use of the word “parasitic.” Turbochargers, on the other hand, maximize the total efficiency of an engine.
04
Supercharge vs. turbocharge in Formula 1 today
Given all the above, you might wonder how an F1 driver chooses which induction system they should use. However, due to a combination of Formula 1 regulations and engineering innovation in racing technology over the years, they don’t really have to.
Formula 1 engineers were forced to innovate when forced induction was banned for about 20 years, beginning in 1986. While the ban has been lifted, the effect on modern F1 mechanical engineering remains.
The engines used in today’s F1 races are called Formula 1 Power Units, a hybrid engine that adheres to Formula 1’s current engine rules. They combine petroleum-fueled internal combustion engines with an energy recovery system-powered electric motor. They comprise a turbocharger and hybrid electric ancillaries, making up a superpowered, four-stroke, 1.6-liter V6 engine. This means that you’re likely going to see updated or hybrid turbochargers at the Grand Prix today.
05
Technological trends in Formula 1
As Formula 1 continues to prioritize sustainable racing technology, drivers are gearing up for additional engine requirement changes beginning in 2026. Turbocharged 1.6 V6 internal combustion engines will continue to be allowed, but with reduced power output and increased electrical energy capacity. These regulations are intended to reduce the environmental impact of motorsports, and sustainable fuels will also be required. Amid these F1 sustainability regulations, when it comes to supercharge vs. turbo, the latter is clearly taking the lead.
The past, present, and future of Formula 1 engines
Building an F1 engine today no longer hinges on the supercharge or turbo question, especially as technology allows for more sustainable options. These technologies, though, are worth understanding — they defined F1 for decades. Their key scientific principles continue to guide F1 engine designs as well. Even if today’s Formula 1 engines don’t include traditional superchargers or turbochargers, their influence will continue long into the future.
