Regan Brown
Formula 1 cars have not been allowed to refuel during races since 2010, when the practice was banned by the sport's governing body, the FIA, on safety grounds. This means that F1 cars must have enough fuel to complete the race before the start of each grand prix. To ensure that F1 cars do not run out of fuel during a race, team engineers calculate how much fuel is used per lap during winter testing and then refine these calculations race by race, taking into account modifications to the car and the conditions at each race.
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What You'll Learn
F1 cars have not refuelled during races since 2010
The ban on refuelling during races has had a significant impact on team strategy. Previously, strategists could decide to fuel cars enough to complete only one push lap, allowing them to set faster times than competitors with heavier vehicles. This tactic carried the risk of not having enough fuel to participate in another flying lap, potentially affecting the driver's qualifying position.
The safety concerns that led to the refuelling ban were heightened by several notable incidents. In 2008, Ferrari driver Felipe Massa drove away from the pit box with the fuel hose still attached. Another incident occurred during the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix when Heikki Kovalainen drove off with the fuel rig attached, resulting in a fire that engulfed Kimi Raikkonen and nearby mechanics in flames.
In addition to safety, cost was also a significant factor in the decision to ban refuelling during races. It was estimated that teams spent approximately €1,000,000 per season on their refuelling systems. While this expense may not have been significant for larger teams, it certainly impacted smaller ones. By eliminating the need for refuelling equipment, the ban helped reduce freight weight and transportation costs for all teams.
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F1 cars are allowed up to 110kg of fuel at the start of a race
F1 cars are not allowed to refuel during a race. This has been the case since the 2010 season, when the FIA banned the practice on the grounds of safety and cost-cutting. The ban was first requested by teams who wanted to reduce the expense of transporting fuel rigs from track to track.
Prior to the ban, refuelling was seen as an exciting part of race day, as it allowed teams with less power or performance to take pole position by running a lighter fuel load during qualifying. However, the downside was that they would need to pit earlier, thus losing their advantage.
Since the ban was implemented, F1 cars have started each race with all the fuel they need. F1 cars are allowed up to 110kg of fuel at the start of a race. This limit was increased from 105kg in 2019 to allow drivers to push their cars to the limit lap after lap without worrying about conserving fuel. The 110kg allowance also prevents teams from having to use fuel-saving measures such as lift-and-coast, which can slow down the race.
To ensure an F1 car doesn’t run out of fuel, team engineers calculate how much fuel is used per lap during winter testing, then refine their calculations race by race based on modifications made to the car and the conditions at each race. The car is then fuelled for the race based on these calculations, with the aim of having enough fuel to make it to the end of the race without extra weight.
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F1 fuel is heavily regulated by the FIA and must be similar to road car fuel
Formula 1 fuel has been heavily regulated by the FIA since 1996. The regulations imposed by the FIA are of two main types: technical and sporting. Technical regulations are related to car specifications, such as the chassis or the engine, while sporting regulations involve race procedures and set rules that pertain to the sport as a whole.
In 1996, the FIA brought in a rule that mandated F1 fuel to be of Euro 95 standard, which means it has to be composed of the same compounds as the fuel used in road cars. F1 fuel is not allowed to contain any compounds not found in petrol put into road cars, although the final product made for each F1 team is highly optimised for peak performance by each manufacturer. For example, the fuel made by Shell is optimised for Ferrari and may not perform at the same level if used by the Mercedes team.
The misconception that F1 fuel is a high-octane concoction vastly different from road car fuel is not true. F1 fuel has a minimum octane rating of 87, which is similar to the petrol used in road cars. The amount of fuel an F1 car uses is calculated by weight rather than volume, with regulations stating that a car can use up to 110 kg of fuel per race.
To ensure an F1 car doesn't run out of fuel during a race, team engineers calculate the amount of fuel used per lap during winter testing and then refine these calculations based on modifications made to the car and the conditions at each race. The car is fuelled based on these calculations, aiming to have enough fuel to finish the race with the least amount of extra weight.
The FIA has also introduced regulations to promote the use of sustainable fuel in F1. For the 2022 season, the bio-component ratio was increased to 10% with the ultimate aim of achieving 100% sustainable fuel in the future.
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F1 cars have fuel sacks or bladders, not tanks
The way in which the fuel tank is scrunched up and pushed into the chassis makes it look like a basic piece of kit, but there is a lot of advanced technology within the bladder. F1 cars are known for their fast changes of direction and impressive G-forces while cornering, and stability and weight distribution are critical. The fuel sack or bladder helps with this, as it is much smaller and more compact than a traditional fuel tank.
The bladder is also fitted with a series of internal baffles with one-way valves that compartmentalize the fuel and channel it to the lowest rearward compartment. This ensures that the car remains stable and that the fuel is placed where scavenger pumps can transfer it effectively to the collector. The use of a fuel sack or bladder also helps with the weight distribution of the car, which is critical to the performance of an F1 car.
The safety of fuel tanks in F1 cars is governed by stringent regulations set by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). These regulations are designed to ensure that the fuel tanks can withstand the extreme conditions of high-speed racing and potential crash impacts. The use of a fuel sack or bladder is one of the ways that F1 cars comply with these safety regulations. Overall, the use of a fuel sack or bladder instead of a traditional fuel tank is a critical aspect of the design of an F1 car, impacting both performance and safety.
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F1 engineers calculate fuel needed per lap during winter testing
Refuelling during Formula 1 races has been banned since 2010, with the FIA citing safety and budgetary reasons for the decision. This means that F1 cars must have a sufficient amount of fuel to complete the race before the commencement of each grand prix. As a result, F1 engineers face the crucial task of calculating the fuel needed per lap during winter testing to ensure their vehicles don't run out of fuel mid-race.
During winter testing, F1 engineers initiate calculations to determine the fuel required per lap. They consider the quantity of fuel consumed by the car during each lap, employing tools like the fastF1 library to analyse F1 data. These calculations are then refined and adjusted based on modifications made to the car and the specific conditions of each race track. The goal is to optimise fuel efficiency, ensuring the car has enough fuel to finish the race without carrying excess weight.
The weight of the car, including the fuel, is a critical factor in the pace and performance of the vehicle. Engineers must ensure the car has the proper proportion of fuel, balancing the need for speed with the risk of running out of fuel. This intricate process involves highly specialised engineers who employ their expertise to push the car to its limits while avoiding any fuel-related issues during the race.
To address the challenge of calculating fuel needs per lap, F1 engineers utilise various strategies. They conduct practice sessions during race weekends, simulating different race paces to mirror specific segments of the pre-planned race strategy. This allows them to fine-tune their calculations and make data-driven decisions. Additionally, they take into account the environmental conditions of the race and the type of race being conducted.
In conclusion, F1 engineers play a pivotal role in ensuring their vehicles' performance and safety. By calculating the fuel needed per lap during winter testing and refining those calculations throughout the racing process, they strike a delicate balance between fuel efficiency, vehicle weight, and speed optimisation. This complex interplay between fuel management, vehicle performance, and safety showcases the expertise and strategic thinking of F1 engineers.
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Frequently asked questions
No, F1 cars do not pit for fuel. Refuelling during a Formula 1 race has been banned since 2010. This means that cars must have enough fuel to finish the race without needing to stop for more.
Refuelling was banned on safety grounds. There have been several notable incidents with refuelling, including Jos Verstappen, the father of Max Verstappen, being injured during a pit stop after the fuel hose poured fuel over the car and him, causing a fire.
Team engineers start making calculations on how much fuel is used per lap during winter testing. They then refine their calculations race by race based on modifications made to the car and the conditions at each race. The car is fuelled for the race based on these calculations, with the aim of having enough fuel to make it to the end of the race.
