With the 53% ICE-47% Electric F1 now upon us, we spoke to Gavin White, the CEO and co-founder of About:Energy, one of the world’s leading battery modelling and simulation companies. A motor racing fan in his own right, Gavin, 31, was introduced to the industry by Formula Student and today lists Porsche and Mercedes amongst his blue-chip customers. His insight into the new F1 – into the pitfalls and the bonuses – made for fascinating listening.
Gavin White studied Mechanical Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast before completing his PhD at Imperial College, London, where he majored in measuring the thermal properties of lithium-ion cells. Whilst there, Gavin also enjoyed an 18-month placement at Aston Martin, working on Adrian Newey’s Valkyrie road car.
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16 Comments
Go and work in Formula E.
Hi Peter from the pacific northwest of the us..I need to tell you that I meet Nigel in Portland for the indy car race.back in the day.thank you for all that you do
Adrian will be failure at AM he overrated, this guy had great engineers helping him at RED BULL RACING.
Honda and Aston Martin should be ashamed of themselves. And Newey too. You had one job. Get a car ready for the few season. The 10 other teams managed it with far less money. All that investment, hiring experienced people, such an opportunity.
Honda screwed Alonso 7 or 8 years ago, and lightning strikes again.
I'm really surprised he hasn't read the rules regarding F1 batteries. Maybe he hasn't access to the rule book?
It turns out the only mechanical aspect of Formula 1 that I am interested in is combustion technology. Batteries in my life exist for cars and planes … miniature ones that are radio controlled.
See you in the next one …
Batteries are a joke and they are going to ruin F1. Your excitement for their use is based on a need that doesn't exist.
Why are you interviewing this guy again? Or is this just regurgitating an old interview?
I was quite surprised he claimed there are not enough batteries around for recycling tech to develop properly. Did he mean large electric vehicle batteries, or Formula one type batteries? Maybe I just didnt catch the context, or what he said properly. In any case I thought that was ridiculous. Just think of all the construction tool batteries, among every other type of battery that if achieved, recycling them would be amazing.
I also do no like the electrification of F1. Ruining the sport. Gasoline all the way baby!
A very interesting interview. With all the F1 content out there this one actually educated me regarding the function and potential issues regarding the batteries. He obviously is working with F1 team/teams. If not he would deny working for them without consequences. I am a bit concerned that a self sustaining battery fire could be catastrophic.
I think it is a rehash of last weeks interview.
MHUK is the fault also probably Crankshaft Balance
Crazy amount of inaccuracies regarding the new rules. To the level of discussing a third pedal. Let’s be more professional.
It's interesting stuff for sure, but I still wish it wasn't a part of F1.
Nobody so far actually addressing the electrolyte in the batteries, being the part that could make a difference. I’m curious if the electrolyte is organic or solid state already?( they’re onto it in Belgium ). The solid state has a much higher density so packs more energy. Anything worth mentioning on the subject Peter?
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