The particulate filter

The Particles Filter is a “cylinder” located in the exhaust line. Made up mainly of a bar of carborundum, it is highly porous, with a large number of tiny holes that trap the soot from the combustion.

To avoid the filter getting blocked up and to destroy the soot particles, the filter has to be periodically (every 80,000 km) “regenerated”, which means that with the help of an additive, the soot is burnt off inside the filter itself.

Given the high operating temperatures in competition, the filter has no need to be regenerated. That is the main difference between standard and racing models.

The two filters (one per exhaust line) must therefore be big enough to hold the soot for the entire 24 hours. Lastly, the FAP’s must also naturally be the most compact and lightest possible, to facilitate fitting into the car.