In a nutshell, the races you’re watching Formula 1 drivers compete in are typically about 200 miles at top speed. With the electric car technology available today, a battery-powered engine simply wouldn’t be able to sustain 200 miles straight without needing to recharge. Because Formula 1 is all about speed, momentum, and exhilaration, drivers wouldn’t be happy if they had to pause their race to charge their car for close to thirty minutes!
Today, all F1 racing cars carry the same engine—a 1.6-liter four stroke turbocharged 90-degree V6 reciprocating engine. While they aren’t great for the environment, these engines are likely here to stay in Formula 1 racing because of their power and performance. Unless a car brand comes out with an eco-friendly, long-lasting, battery engine soon, we probably won’t see electric F1 cars on our screens for a while.