bhall wrote:Because both systems can't be used concurrently to power the car (due to the 120 kW cap placed on the MGU-K), I think the idea is to make the MGU-H as efficient as possible so that it can charge the ES as quickly/completely as possible during the 33.3s when ES/MGU-K power is allowed. At all other times, the MGU-H powers the MGU-K/spools up the turbine, etc, while the MGU-K charges the ES under braking.
I still don't see the benefit of using the MGU-H to fill the battery.
The ES time use is extended by only requiring (relatively) small amounts of power from it for the MGU-K - the balance coming from the MGU-H.
There wil be times during a lap where the PU produces enough power by itself to break traction, or provide the torque that the driver requires. In those situations there could be a balancing of the load through the ICE and MGU-H/MGU-K (ie lower the ICE power by the amoun of the electrical power to get the demanded power), which gives lower fuel consumption, or to use the ICE to power the car and store the generated electricity.
Of course the teams cannot use any traction control, so they must estimate the traction in each acceleration zone and program the ECU accordingly.
The storage and usage of energy from the MGU-H via the ES introduces two energy transfer losses into the system. This is a waste of energy.
Also, Ferrari's drivers have struggled with traction exiting corners, suggesting that the MGU-K applies its power rather more suddenly than would be desired. Could it be that Ferrari haven't quite got the balancing act right, whereas Mercedes have?