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**Vmysobfi** · 03-18-2010, 03:35 AM

I seem to recall, sometime last year, someone posted on here about the McLaren F1 team, and a comment by Mercedes, that the engine, once up to speed and over a certain amount of revs, did not rely on the spark plugs for ignition.

Does anyone remember that, and if so, how does that fall in the light of the issue Vettel had????

http://www.motorsportforums.com/foru...ghlight=diesel

I went to the effort of getting the answer myself. So I went and emailed McLaren Electronics:

Originally Posted by McLaren Electronics View Post
Dear Andrew,

The spark plugs used by Team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes are supplied by NGK. During any given run by the Formula One car, the spark plugs are enabled for approximately 40 seconds before the engine management system switches them off. At this point, the internal pressures of the engines are suffcient to keep the engine firing on compression ignition only. Subject to engine management, sensors will re-enable the spark plugs for the slower portions of the run such as pitstops.

Thank you for your enquiry,
enquiry@mclarenelectronics.com

There you have it. For about 97% of a Grand Prix, the cars are running as Diesels.
Case closed.

Based on what I knew about Top-Fuel Dragsters I theorised, that the pressures in an F1 engine would be enough to make the engines "go diesel".

Red Bull initially reported the new exhaust system was to blame for the loss of speed, but later stated it was actually a faulty spark plug that cost them the race.
If you read both of these things together, it's not difficult to make the leap and suggest that both statements are actually true. If they're firing the spark plugs on both the exhaust and compression strokes, then exhaust gases would be being burnt, and thus the engine should breathe better.
A so-called "wasted spark" isn't exactly a new idea, and has been used in the past by Alfa Romeo (Twinspark) and Volkswagen (on their VR6 engines), and on the Mazda B engines which are in their Miata and old 323.

03-18-2010, 03:35 AM	#7
Vmysobfi Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 511 Senior Member	I seem to recall, sometime last year, someone posted on here about the McLaren F1 team, and a comment by Mercedes, that the engine, once up to speed and over a certain amount of revs, did not rely on the spark plugs for ignition. Does anyone remember that, and if so, how does that fall in the light of the issue Vettel had???? http://www.motorsportforums.com/foru...ghlight=diesel I went to the effort of getting the answer myself. So I went and emailed McLaren Electronics: Originally Posted by McLaren Electronics View Post Dear Andrew, The spark plugs used by Team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes are supplied by NGK. During any given run by the Formula One car, the spark plugs are enabled for approximately 40 seconds before the engine management system switches them off. At this point, the internal pressures of the engines are suffcient to keep the engine firing on compression ignition only. Subject to engine management, sensors will re-enable the spark plugs for the slower portions of the run such as pitstops. Thank you for your enquiry, enquiry@mclarenelectronics.com There you have it. For about 97% of a Grand Prix, the cars are running as Diesels. Case closed. Based on what I knew about Top-Fuel Dragsters I theorised, that the pressures in an F1 engine would be enough to make the engines "go diesel". Red Bull initially reported the new exhaust system was to blame for the loss of speed, but later stated it was actually a faulty spark plug that cost them the race. If you read both of these things together, it's not difficult to make the leap and suggest that both statements are actually true. If they're firing the spark plugs on both the exhaust and compression strokes, then exhaust gases would be being burnt, and thus the engine should breathe better. A so-called "wasted spark" isn't exactly a new idea, and has been used in the past by Alfa Romeo (Twinspark) and Volkswagen (on their VR6 engines), and on the Mazda B engines which are in their Miata and old 323.
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