Rally1 hybrid cars (2022-)

[Tom K]

After making some "research" and puting together a bit scattered info, I would say that the strategic side of hybrid era and drivers' part of job is not where to deploy the energy, but where not to regenerate it...

In other words. After initial boost at the start, the regen counter will be zero. On the first braking driver can regenerate and if the regen is valid some portion of this energy is available (and used) after corner when car accelerates (because driver does not have any boost button, and hybrid is "on" during whole stage). And situation repeats until the energy limit of boost is reached - for example stage no 2 - 100 kJ.

So, the strategic side: If team decides, that the best option is to have 100 kJ available in one long straight in the middle of the stage, then the will would be not use it earlier (for example in slow twisty section when acceleration from ECU is enough). As driver cannot turn on/turn off this boost, he should try not to regenerate energy up to chosen section before long straight mentioned before.

Am I (at least a bit) right?