Rajan Wilcox
The topic of fuel and refueling in Formula One (F1) racing has been a dynamic one, with regulations and approaches evolving over time. Since 2010, F1 rules have prohibited refueling during races for safety reasons and to cut costs. This change prompted a shift in car design, requiring larger fuel tanks to ensure vehicles could complete a full race without refueling. Strategies have also adapted, with drivers managing their allotted fuel loads to balance speed and tire life. F1 cars are now allowed a maximum of 110 kilograms of fuel per race, but teams often carry less fuel to reduce weight and improve performance, even if it means employing fuel-saving techniques like lift-and-coast. The evolution of F1 fuel usage reflects the sport's ongoing pursuit of performance, safety, and sustainability, with a net-zero carbon goal by 2030.
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What You'll Learn
F1 cars can carry up to 110kg of fuel
F1 cars can carry up to 110 kg of fuel per race. This limit was increased from 105 kg in 2019 to improve the cars' efficiency on the circuit. The cars do not always carry this much fuel, however, as a heavier car will be slower. Teams may under-fuel their cars to achieve faster lap times, at the expense of having to lift-and-coast at certain points in the race.
Refuelling during a race has been banned since 2010, so cars must carry enough fuel to complete the race. This rule was introduced by the FIA, Formula 1's governing body, to reduce costs and improve safety. Refuelling is a dangerous process, as it involves pouring flammable fuel into a hot engine, and accidents have occurred in the past.
The fuel tank in an F1 car is a flexible bladder, squeezed into the car and filled like a balloon. This is designed for safety, as it is indestructible and will not leak in the event of a crash. The bladder is located behind the driver and in front of the engine, and must be under 800mm wide for aerodynamic purposes.
F1 cars are now larger than they were before the ban on refuelling, as they need to be able to accommodate a larger fuel tank. The ban has also impacted race strategy, as teams can no longer use refuelling stops to change tyres or make adjustments to the car.
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Refuelling during races has been banned since 2010
Refuelling during Formula One races has been banned since 2010. This means that cars must carry enough fuel to complete the race without stopping to refuel. The maximum amount of fuel an F1 car can carry is 110 kilograms per race (305km / 190 miles). However, teams often choose to carry less fuel to reduce the overall weight of the car and increase speed, despite the risk of needing to lift-and-coast at certain points during the race.
The ban on refuelling during races was implemented for several reasons. Firstly, it addressed safety concerns, as refuelling was the leading cause of F1 car fires. Additionally, the ban reduced costs for teams, eliminating the need to transport refuelling equipment worldwide. The ban also contributed to Formula One's push for sustainability and fuel efficiency. Since 2014, F1 cars have been equipped with fuel-flow meters to ensure a maximum fuel consumption rate of 100 kilograms per hour.
The introduction of the refuelling ban in 2010 resulted in some strategic changes for teams. Prior to the ban, teams could employ more aggressive strategies by qualifying with less fuel and adopting a faster pace during the race. With the ban in place, the qualifying position became more indicative of the finishing position in the race. Additionally, the ban led to an increase in the minimum weight of F1 cars, from 605 kilograms to 620 kilograms, requiring larger fuel tanks to accommodate the necessary fuel load for the entire race distance.
The fuel tank in an F1 car is designed differently from those in conventional cars. Instead of a rigid tank, F1 cars use a flexible and indestructible bladder that conforms to strict safety regulations. The bladder is positioned behind the driver and in front of the engine, with a maximum width of 800 millimetres. The size and placement of the fuel tank are optimised for both safety and aerodynamics.
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Fuel tanks are flexible, balloon-shaped bladders
Since 1970, Formula One regulations have required the use of flexible fuel bladders instead of rigid tanks. These bladders are balloon-shaped and squeezed into the car, then filled with fuel. They are positioned behind the driver but directly ahead of the engine, and they must be as small as possible for aerodynamic purposes while complying with the FIA regulation of being under 800mm wide.
The use of a flexible bladder is safer than a rigid tank, as it can adapt to the changing volume of fuel, reducing the chances of sloshing and evaporation. This means more fuel can be effectively utilized, making the bladder an eco-friendly option. The bladder also contracts as fuel is consumed, preventing air or moisture from entering the tank and reducing the risk of contamination. In the event of a crash, the bladder must not leak, and no lines containing fuel may pass through the cockpit to protect the driver.
Fuel bladders are typically made from robust materials that resist punctures and abrasions, with a lifespan of over 10 years. They are compatible with various fuels, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and crude oil. Bladders can also be customized in terms of size, thickness, fittings, and shape to meet specific needs.
The use of fuel bladders is not limited to F1 cars but is also common in other industries and applications. They are often used in emergency relief operations, remote construction sites, and agricultural and heavy machinery vehicles where regular fuel resupply is not feasible. Additionally, they are valuable in motorsports and military exercises, as well as unique expeditions, due to their portability and adaptability to harsh environmental conditions.
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Teams under-fuel cars for faster lap times
Since 2010, Formula 1 racing regulations have prohibited refuelling during races. This means that cars must carry enough fuel to complete the race distance. F1 cars are allowed up to 110 kg of fuel at the start of the race. However, teams often choose to underfuel their cars, carrying less than the maximum allowed fuel. This strategy is employed to achieve faster lap times due to the reduced weight of the car. For every 1 kg of fuel saved, the car becomes approximately 0.1 seconds faster per lap. This can make a significant difference over the course of a race, potentially gaining several seconds.
The decision to underfuel is a strategic choice that comes with trade-offs. While a lighter car can achieve faster lap times, underfuelling can also lead to fuel conservation challenges. To compensate for the reduced fuel load, drivers may need to adopt more conservative driving styles, including techniques such as "lift-and-coast" to reduce fuel consumption and ensure they have enough fuel to finish the race. Teams may also rely on the occurrence of Safety Car periods to reduce fuel consumption and stretch their fuel load.
The impact of underfuelling can be influenced by various factors, including the powertrain efficiency, tyre life, and engine wear. More fuel-efficient powertrains can allow for more aggressive underfuelling strategies, as they consume less fuel during the race. Additionally, underfuelling can help extend tyre life, as driving at full speed with a heavier car can take a toll on the tyres. However, running an engine in a higher power mode or pushing it harder can increase strain and accelerate engine wear.
The decision to underfuel or overfuel is a strategic choice that depends on various factors, including track characteristics, race duration, and team objectives. Teams must carefully consider the trade-offs between faster lap times and fuel conservation to optimize their race strategy.
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Fuel is highly regulated by the FIA
Fuel usage in Formula One (F1) racing has been an area of interest for the sport since its early days. F1 regulations, made and enforced by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), have changed significantly since the first Formula One World Championship in 1950.
The FIA has two main types of regulations: technical and sporting. Technical regulations relate to car specifications, such as the chassis or the engine. Sporting regulations involve race procedures and set rules that pertain to the sport as a whole.
Over the years, the FIA has implemented various rules regarding fuel usage in F1 races. Since 1970, for example, regulations have mandated the use of fuel bladders rather than rigid tanks. The fuel tank must be a 'single rubber bladder' that conforms to strict FIA safety rules, and it must be located within a specific range of coordinates within the car. This is to ensure that in the event of a crash, the fuel bladder does not leak and that no lines containing fuel pass through the cockpit.
The FIA also has strict rules regarding the composition of the fuel used in F1 races. The technical regulations state that only petrol is permitted, with tight restrictions on elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, and manganese, as well as properties such as electrical conductivity and boiling point. Temperature is also a key consideration in the regulations, as colder fuel stores more chemical energy and is denser. To ensure safety and parity, the technical regulations state that the fuel in a car must not be colder than 10 degrees Celsius below ambient temperature or 10 degrees Celsius (whichever is lower) when the car is running outside the garage.
In addition to these technical regulations, the FIA also has rules regarding refuelling during races. Since 2010, refuelling during an F1 race has been banned. This means that cars must have enough fuel inside their tanks before the start of each grand prix to finish the race. F1 cars are allowed up to 110 kilograms of fuel at the start of the race but must provide 1 litre of fuel to the FIA at the end of the race for testing.
Looking ahead, the FIA has unveiled a new set of regulations for 2026 and beyond that focus on creating a more agile, competitive, safer, and more sustainable F1 racing experience. These regulations include the use of 100% sustainable fuels, a redesigned power unit with increased battery power, and the introduction of active aerodynamics.
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Frequently asked questions
F1 cars can carry up to 110kg of fuel but teams often under-fuel their cars to achieve faster lap times and improve tyre life.
Refueling during a Formula 1 race has been banned since 2010.
The fuel tank inside an F1 car is different from those in a conventional car. It is a flexible and indestructible bladder that is squeezed into the car and then filled like a balloon.
In NASCAR, teams are allowed to fill up with as much fuel as they want, with refueling occurring during the races. The fuel cells in the cars hold approximately 18 US gallons.
Refueling was banned for several reasons, including safety concerns, cost reduction, and the aim to improve on-track action.
