General Motors’ success in the IMSA GTP series with its Cadillac team has highlighted the company’s capabilities in developing hybrid race cars. The GTP cars use a unique system where they accelerate from a standstill using only electric power, before the internal combustion engine kicks in.
This system has proven to be highly effective, with the Cadillac team winning the IMSA championship and achieving a podium finish at Le Mans in their debut year.
GM’s experience in the GTP series has also provided valuable lessons for their future endeavors in Formula 1. Despite being rejected by Formula 1 management, GM is pushing forward with their plans to develop an F1 power unit, which will include a hybrid system.
The company sees their involvement in motorsports as a way to drive innovation and efficiency, which aligns with their mission to electrify their production vehicles.
Russ O’Blenes, GM’s director of motorsports propulsion and performance, believes that the company’s GTP program is a stepping stone to competing at the highest level of motorsport. He sees the parallels between IMSA GTP and F1, but also acknowledges the differences in the rules and regulations between the two series.
Despite the challenges, O’Blenes is confident in GM’s ability to succeed in F1, citing the company’s strong team of engineers and technicians who are driven to learn and win.
GM’s efforts in developing hybrid race cars have also led to remarkable gains in efficiency and performance. The company’s hybrid prototypes are around two seconds faster around Daytona compared to their debut year, without any physical changes to the drivetrain.
This is a testament to the importance of efficiency in endurance racing, and GM’s ability to optimize their hybrid system to achieve better performance.
GM’s success in the IMSA GTP series has demonstrated their capabilities in developing hybrid race cars, and their potential to succeed in Formula 1.
Despite the setback of being rejected by Formula 1 management, GM remains committed to their goals and is pushing forward with their plans to develop an F1 power unit.