MOTORSPORT HISTORY & CASE STUDIES
DRIVING MOTORSPORT SUCCESS SINCE 1981

FROM FORMULA 1 TO FORMULA E

A HISTORY OF INNOVATION

Zytek has had a rich history of providing the highest level engineering solutions to motorsport since 1981.

From Formula One’s first fully electronic engine management system in the Toleman-Hart car driven by a young Ayrton Senna in 1984, to the first kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) to win an F1 race in Mercedes/McLaren driven by Lewis Hamilton in 2009.

We have also played a key role in the development of electrification technology within Formula E, from developing a motor/inverter that achieved 16 race wins and 4 out of 6 drivers and manufacturers championships, to the highly efficient DCDC converters which run faultlessly throughout its race use.

We have also worked with many other race series from Formula 3000, to the Le Mans Series, Renault FR3.5 Series, Super GT, Auto GP Championships, and many more.

FROM RETROFIT TO BESPOKE

SOLUTION FOCUSSED

We also have a rich history of working with customers on solutions that suit specific needs, whether that be an ‘off the shelf’ product to meet a budget, or bespoke engineering solution to achieve the highest performance targets.

For the Honda 300/500 (Super GT racing series in Japan), we developed an ERS system that was easily fitted to the existing gearbox to allow the benefits of a hybrid system to be easily added to Honda’s existing platform.

For the Mercedes/McLaren F1 car, a bespoke solution was required due to aggressive targets for mass, efficiency and thermal operating conditions; so close co-operation between the Zytek and Mercedes teams engineered a highly integrated KERS system.

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MOTORSPORT CASE STUDIES

HONDA CRZ SUPER GT RACING

For Honda we developed an energy recovery system which was the first hybrid system to achieve a championship win outside of Formula 1 and was used in Super GT racing for many years.
VIEW HONDA CRZ CASE STUDY

MERCEDES/MCLAREN FORMULA 1

Zytek was nominated by Mercedes/McLaren to develop their hybrid system for the 2009 F1 season, producing what was univesally regarded as the best system on the grid.
VIEW FORMULA 1 CASE STUDY

FORMULA E

For a leading Formula E team we supplied the motor and inverters, enjoying 16 race wins and four out of six drivers and manufacturers championships over three seasons.
VIEW FORMULA E CASE STUDY

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

It was back in 1981 that Zytek started its motorsport development activities, particularly engine control units for race applications.

Whilst we have worked with numerous race series from Formula 3000 to Le Mans, see three example case studies:

Zytek offers the full range of motorsport engineering solutions, from full vehicle electrification to propulsion systems, E-drive systems, driver assistance/safety and event support.

For more information see our Motorsport Solutions page. 

Yes, we have a full range of ‘off the shelf’ solutions, which are typically derivatives of the cutting-edge bespoke technology developed for the top tier clients. 

For example, the 60kW motor, which is a derivative of the work that Zytek did with Honda in Super GT Racing in Japan.

For more information on our ‘off the shelf solutions’, see our Products page. 

Our motorsport services include the development of both concept and prototypes, from interior and chassis concepts, to powertrain and complete vehicles (such as the electric single seater race car with individual wheel motors (developed over 20 years before the first season of Formula E).

For more information see our Concept Vehicle Design page. 

Yes, we specialise in the design and development of 3-phase, internal rotor, permanent magnet synchronous electric machines for both electric and hybrid vehicles.

We have standard units available from 60 to 250 kW, or custom design options are also available. For more information see our Electric Motors page. 

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