Rajan Wilcox
Formula One (F1) cars are single-seat, open-cockpit, open-wheel racing cars used in F1 racing events. F1 cars have been heavily regulated by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) since 1996, with rules in place to limit fuel usage and encourage sustainability and cost reduction. F1 cars can carry a maximum of 110 kilograms of fuel per race, but they don't always fill up to capacity as a heavier car costs more lap time. So, how much fuel does an F1 car carry, and how do teams ensure they don't run out of fuel mid-race?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How much fuel does an F1 car carry? | F1 cars can carry a maximum of 110 kilograms of fuel per race (305km / 190 miles). However, they don't always fill the car with that much fuel as it increases the weight and costs lap time. |
| Fuel calculation | Team engineers start making calculations on how much fuel is used per lap during winter testing and then refine their calculations race by race. |
| Fuel type | The fuel used in an F1 car is a minimum of 87 octane, keeping in line with the requirement that the petrol used must be similar to what you would put in a road car at the pump. |
| Fuel regulation | Since 1996, the fuel F1 cars use has been heavily regulated by the FIA. F1 cars have also had fuel-flow meters, monitored by the FIA, to ensure that the engine doesn't consume fuel at more than 100kg per hour. |
| Fuel flow restriction | F1 has had a fuel flow restriction of 100kg/hour since 2014. |
| Fuel saving | Fuel-saving techniques include lifting off the throttle before the braking zone going into corners (lift and coast) and changing settings in the car to decrease fuel consumption. |
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What You'll Learn
F1 fuel regulations
Formula 1 fuel has been heavily regulated by the FIA since 1996. The regulations have undergone several changes over the years, with a focus on sustainability and fuel efficiency.
Fuel Type and Composition
F1 fuel must adhere to specific standards and compositions as outlined by the FIA. Since 1996, F1 fuel has been required to meet the Euro 95 standard, which means it must contain the same compounds found in petrol available at local service stations for road cars. This requirement ensures that the fuel used in F1 is similar to what would be put into a typical road car.
The misconception that F1 fuel is a unique, high-octane blend is inaccurate. The minimum octane rating for F1 fuel is 87, which aligns with the fuel available for road cars.
Fuel Flow Restrictions
F1 cars have had fuel flow restrictions in place since 2014, limiting the fuel consumption to 100kg per hour. This restriction is monitored by the FIA using fuel-flow meters, with sensors checking the flow up to 2200 times per second.
Fuel Limits
The amount of fuel an F1 car can carry has varied over the years. In 2017, the fuel limit per race was set at 105 kg. This limit was increased to 110 kg for the 2019 season, allowing drivers to push harder while managing fuel consumption.
F1 teams do not always fill their cars to the maximum fuel limit, as a heavier car can result in slower lap times. Team engineers carefully calculate fuel usage per lap during testing and make adjustments based on car modifications and race conditions. The goal is to have enough fuel to finish the race while minimising the extra weight carried.
Fuel Tank and Safety Regulations
F1 cars have specific regulations regarding the fuel tank's size and placement. The fuel cell is located directly behind the cockpit within the main chassis, which contains a "safety cell" designed to protect the driver. The fuel tank is subject to squeeze tests to ensure it can withstand a force of 12.5 kN (2,800 lbf) with a maximum deformation of 3 mm (0.12 in).
Future Regulations
F1 is committed to sustainability and has announced that the next generation of cars in 2026 will use fully sustainable fuels, aiming for net-zero exhaust CO2 emissions. The focus on electrical power will reduce the amount of fuel flowing to the engines, with each car targeted to use approximately 70 kg of fuel during a Grand Prix.
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Calculating fuel load
The amount of fuel an F1 car can carry is calculated in weight rather than volume. As of 2019, F1 cars are allowed to carry a maximum of 110kg of fuel per race, which is approximately 242 pounds. This regulation was introduced to ensure sustainability and cost reduction.
The amount of fuel an F1 car carries depends on several factors, including the race length, the car's fuel efficiency, and the driver's fuel-saving techniques. Teams will rarely use their full fuel capacity because weight slows the car down. During a race, they may use techniques such as lift-and-coast or rely on a safety car to save fuel.
To calculate the fuel load for a race, team engineers start by calculating how much fuel is used per lap during winter testing. They then refine these calculations race by race, taking into account modifications made to the car and the conditions at each race. During the free practice sessions of a race weekend, different race paces are used to simulate certain periods of the pre-planned race strategy, allowing engineers to adjust their calculations accordingly.
The car is fuelled for the race based on these calculations, with the aim of having enough fuel to reach the end of the race while carrying the least amount of extra weight. FIA regulations require that F1 cars have at least 1 litre of fuel available at the end of the session for testing.
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Fuel flow restrictions
The FIA has been regulating the fuel used in F1 cars since 1996, ensuring that it is similar to the fuel used in road cars. The fuel must meet the Euro 95 standard, which means it has to be composed of the same compounds as those found in petrol for road cars. While the chemicals used are the same, the final product is highly optimised for peak performance by each manufacturer.
The amount of fuel an F1 car can use per race was increased to 110 kilograms in 2019, a rise of 5 kilograms from the previous limit. This change was implemented to allow drivers to push harder during races without worrying about running out of fuel. The calculation of fuel usage is done by weight rather than volume, with teams rarely using the full fuel capacity as weight slows the car down.
To ensure that F1 cars do not run out of fuel during a race, engineers start making calculations on fuel usage during winter testing, refining their numbers race by race. The car is fuelled based on these calculations, with the goal of having enough fuel to finish the race with minimal extra weight.
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Fuel weight vs volume
F1 cars have a maximum fuel capacity of 110 kilograms per race, or 305 kilometres (190 miles). This regulation was introduced in 2019, increasing the previous limit by 5 kilograms. However, teams rarely fill their cars to maximum capacity, as more fuel means more weight, which slows the car down and increases lap times.
F1 teams calculate fuel consumption per lap during winter testing and refine these calculations race by race, factoring in modifications to the car and race-specific conditions. They then fuel the car based on these calculations, aiming to have just enough fuel to finish the race without carrying extra weight.
When it comes to measuring fuel, F1 teams use weight rather than volume. This is because fuel volume can change with temperature, but weight remains constant. Cooling the fuel was a common practice in F1 when there was a volume limit, but this is no longer allowed. By measuring weight, teams can ensure they meet the minimum wet and dry weight requirements for their cars.
While F1 teams measure fuel in kilograms, the FIA takes samples in millilitres, typically requesting 1 litre for testing. This is likely because it is simpler to fill a container to a specific volume than to weigh the fuel. Additionally, certain instruments may require a minimum volume for testing, and the 1-litre sample can be stored for future testing if needed.
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Fuel efficiency
F1 cars have had fuel-flow meters monitored by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) since 2014 to ensure that the engine cannot consume fuel at a rate greater than 100 kilograms per hour. The sensor checks the flow 2200 times per second. The FIA has also introduced a second fuel-flow sensor with encrypted data to ensure that teams comply with the regulations.
To ensure their car does not run out of fuel during a race, team engineers start making calculations on fuel usage per lap during winter testing, refining their calculations race by race based on modifications to the car and race conditions. The car is fuelled for the race based on these calculations, with the aim of having enough fuel to finish the race with minimal extra weight.
The Energy Recovery Systems (ERS) in F1 cars are another important aspect of fuel efficiency. The ERS includes the Motor Generator Unit-Heat (MGU-H) and Motor Generator Unit-Kinetic (MGU-K). The MGU-H collects and deploys wasted energy from the turbocharger, while the MGU-K recovers waste kinetic energy from the braking system. These systems allow for the recovery of as much waste energy as possible, improving the efficiency of the car.
The focus on fuel efficiency in F1 has led to breakthroughs in fuel technology that have been adopted in commercial settings. F1 fuel must adhere to strict regulations set by the FIA, which specify that it must be similar in composition to the fuel used in road cars. However, the final product is highly optimised for peak performance by each manufacturer, resulting in fuel that is tailored to a specific team's engine.
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Frequently asked questions
F1 cars can carry a maximum of 110 kilograms of fuel per race, which is equivalent to 305 kilometres or 190 miles. However, teams rarely use the full fuel capacity because the more fuel a car starts with, the heavier it is, and the more time it loses per lap.
Team engineers start making calculations on how much fuel is used per lap during winter testing and 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 to have enough fuel to make it to the end of the race with the least amount of extra weight being carried.
Since 2014, F1 cars have been required to have fuel-flow meters monitored by the FIA to ensure that the engine doesn't consume fuel at a rate greater than 100kg per hour. The sensor checks the flow 2200 times per second.
