Sylvie Willis
Formula One (F1) cars are single-seat, open-cockpit, open-wheel racing cars that are famed for their fast changes of direction and impressive G-forces while cornering. The fuel used in F1 cars is a mixture of unleaded petrol and ethanol, with the ethanol content increased from 5.75% to 10% as part of 2022 regulation changes. F1 cars can use a maximum of 110 kilograms of fuel per race, but teams rarely fill the tank to the maximum to ensure optimal performance. The fuel used in F1 cars must adhere to strict regulations set by the FIA, which stipulate that it must be similar to the fuel used in road cars and cannot contain any exotic power-boosting chemical compounds.
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What You'll Learn
F1 fuel regulations
F1 cars can use 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 the more fuel a car starts with, the heavier it is, and the more lap time it costs. The amount of fuel an F1 car can use per race was increased to 110 kilograms in 2019 (from 105 kilograms) to allow drivers to push more of the time. In 2013, 160kg of fuel was used in a race; in 2020, that stood at 100kg; and in 2026, F1 is aiming for each car to use just 70kg of fuel during a Grand Prix.
Since 2014, F1 cars have had fuel-flow meters, monitored by the FIA, to ensure that the engine cannot consume fuel at more than the rate of 100kg per hour, with the sensor checking the flow 2200 times per second. For the 2020 season, the FIA introduced a second fuel-flow sensor with encrypted data to ensure that the teams could not circumvent the measurements.
F1 regulations have had a massive push towards fuel efficiency in recent years. In 2026, the new F1 power units will run on fully sustainable fuels, with carbon derived from non-food sources, genuine municipal waste, or the atmosphere. The higher proportion of electrical power will also mean less fuel will flow to the engines, and less fuel will be used overall.
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Fuel efficiency and sustainability
Since 2010, F1 has banned refuelling during races to cut down on expenses and improve safety. This ban has been controversial, as it was previously used as a strategic element by teams who didn't have the power or performance to match their rivals. However, it has also made races more high-octane, as drivers no longer need to worry about conserving fuel and can push their cars to the limit lap after lap.
F1 cars have become more fuel-efficient in recent years, with the 2020 Mercedes engine achieving over 50% thermal efficiency, compared to around 44% in 2014. Since 2014, F1 cars have been required to have fuel-flow meters, monitored by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), to ensure that the engine cannot consume fuel at a rate of more than 100kg per hour. The FIA has also introduced other changes aimed at sustainability and cost reduction, such as the cap on car parts, usage of mixed fuel, and energy recovery systems. For the 2014 season, the FIA introduced 1.6-litre six-cylinder turbocharged engines with a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) to increase fuel efficiency. This was updated in 2022 with a modified V6 configuration and a more powerful KERS. The ethanol content of the fuel was also increased from 5.75% to 10% in 2022, with current F1 cars using E10 fuel.
F1 is working towards a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, with investments in alternative fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, and low-carbon energy generation systems. In 2024, F1's investment in alternative fuels drove carbon reductions in its air and road logistics, circuit operations, and on-track, reducing total related emissions by more than 8,000 tCO₂e, or roughly 19%, compared to traditional aviation fuel. F1 has also been testing more sustainable fuel blends, with F2 and F3 cars running on 55% Aramco advanced sustainable fuel in 2024, and F1 cars expected to adopt this fuel in 2025.
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F1 fuel vs road car fuel
F1 cars use a mixture of unleaded petrol and ethanol as fuel. Since 1996, the FIA has heavily regulated the fuel used in F1 cars, mandating that it must adhere to the Euro 95 standard, which requires it to have the same compounds as the fuel used in road cars. The minimum octane rating for F1 fuel is 87, which is similar to the petrol available at pumps for road cars.
While the compounds in F1 fuel and commercial fuel are the same, the final product for each F1 team is highly optimised for peak performance by the manufacturer. For example, fuel produced by Shell is optimised for Ferrari and may not perform at the same level if used by another team, such as Mercedes. F1 fuel is also subject to tight restrictions on the mixture ratio of unleaded petrol and ethanol. In 2022, the ethanol content was increased from 5.75% to 10%.
F1 cars can use a maximum of 110 kilograms of fuel per race (approximately 305 kilometres or 190 miles). However, teams often do not fill the car with the maximum amount of fuel to reduce weight and improve lap times. The amount of fuel an F1 car can use per race was increased from 105 kilograms in 2018 to 110 kilograms in 2019 to allow drivers to push harder without worrying about fuel conservation.
F1 cars do not refuel during races, and teams must carefully manage their fuel consumption to ensure they do not run out. Team engineers use calculations based on winter testing and race data to determine the required fuel amount, taking into account modifications to the car and race conditions. F1 cars have fuel-flow meters monitored by the FIA to ensure the engine does not consume fuel at a rate higher than 100 kilograms per hour.
In contrast, road cars typically use unleaded or diesel fuel, depending on the vehicle type. The fuel is usually purchased from petrol stations and is available in different grades, such as premium or regular, which vary in terms of octane rating and additives. Road cars have larger fuel tanks than F1 cars and can typically travel longer distances without refuelling. Additionally, road cars do not have the same weight constraints as F1 cars, as a heavier road car may be desirable for safety and comfort.
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F1 fuel optimisation
F1 teams employ various strategies and technologies to optimise fuel efficiency and performance. One key strategy is managing fuel consumption through throttle control, which involves a delicate balance between aggressive acceleration and conservative driving. Smooth and gradual throttle inputs help keep fuel consumption in check while maximising speed. F1 engines also have different power modes and settings that can be adjusted to harmonise performance and fuel efficiency, allowing teams to adapt to different race conditions and strategies.
Another critical aspect of F1 fuel optimisation is regenerative braking. This technology captures kinetic energy during braking and transforms it into recoverable energy, reducing fuel consumption and providing an extra power boost. Additionally, F1 teams focus on aero efficiency by tweaking aerodynamic setups to minimise drag, which is a significant factor in fuel consumption. They also employ fuel-saving techniques such as "lift and coast," where the driver lifts off the throttle before braking to reduce fuel injection and conserve fuel.
To ensure that F1 cars finish the race without running out of fuel, engineers play a crucial role in fuel management. They perform calculations and analyses during winter testing and throughout the season to determine the approximate quantity of fuel required for each race. Engineers also consider the impact of weight on the car's performance and make adjustments accordingly. Real-time telemetry provides engineers with data on fuel consumption rates, allowing them to relay crucial information to drivers on when to conserve fuel and when to unleash the full power of their machines.
F1 has also placed a strong emphasis on sustainability and clean energy in recent years. Hybrid technology and energy-recovery systems have been introduced to increase power while reducing fuel consumption. F1 aims to use 100% sustainable fuel by 2025 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. These advancements in F1 fuel technology have broader implications, with many breakthroughs being adopted in commercial settings and influencing the development of more fuel-efficient road cars.
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F1 fuel limits
F1 cars use highly refined and high-quality petrol fuel with a minimum octane rating of 87. The fuel used in F1 cars has been heavily regulated by the FIA since 1996, with rules stating that it must conform to Euro 95 standards and be similar in composition to the fuel available at petrol stations for road cars.
F1 cars can carry a maximum of 110 kg of fuel per race (305 km or 190 miles) but often carry less to reduce weight and improve performance, despite the risk of running out of fuel before the end of the race. The amount of fuel an F1 car can use per race was increased to 110 kg in 2019, up from 105 kg in 2018, to allow drivers to push harder without worrying about fuel conservation.
In addition to the total fuel limit, F1 regulations mandate the use of fuel bladders rather than rigid tanks for safety reasons. The fuel tank must be a single rubber bladder located within a specific range of coordinates in the car. This is to ensure that the bladder does not leak in the event of a crash, and to protect the driver, no fuel lines are allowed to pass through the cockpit. The fuel in an F1 car must also 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, as colder fuel is denser and stores more chemical energy.
F1 cars have also been fitted with fuel-flow meters since 2014 to ensure that the engine does not consume fuel at a rate greater than 100 kg per hour. This limit was introduced to improve efficiency and safety, as without it, teams could use a huge boost of fuel at the beginning of a race or lap, leading to dangerous differences in speed between cars. The FIA introduced a second fuel-flow sensor for the 2020 season to better enforce these rules, with encrypted data to prevent teams from circumventing the measurements.
Refuelling during the race is prohibited in F1, with cars fuelled at the beginning of the race to ensure they can complete the distance. This rule was introduced in 2010 to reduce costs and improve safety, as transporting fuel rigs between tracks was expensive, and there was a risk of incidents such as the 2009 Brazilian GP, where Heikki Kovalainen drove off with the fuel rig still attached, creating a fire.
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Frequently asked questions
F1 cars use a mixture of unleaded petrol and ethanol with a tightly controlled mixture ratio. The fuel used in F1 cars is highly regulated by the FIA and must be similar to what can be purchased at the pump for a road car.
F1 cars can use a maximum of 110 kilograms of fuel per race (305km / 190 miles). However, they rarely fill the car with that much fuel as the more fuel a car starts with, the heavier it is, and the more lap time it costs.
Team engineers start making calculations on how much fuel is used per lap during winter testing and then refine their calculations race by race. They also take into consideration the type of race and the conditions at each race to get their team to the finish line.
No, refuelling during a race has been banned since the 2010 season due to budget and safety reasons.
