Sylvie Willis
Formula One (F1) cars are single-seat, open-cockpit, open-wheel racing cars used for Formula One racing events. F1 cars have been using heavily regulated fuel since 1996, with the introduction of the rule that fuel must be of Euro 95 standard, which means it has to be made of the same compounds as the petrol used in road cars. F1 cars currently use E10 fuel, which is 10% renewable ethanol, but the sport is working towards a Net Zero 2030 strategy by developing a 100% sustainable hybrid fuel to be introduced in 2026.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel type | Petrol, or E10 fuel (10% renewable ethanol) |
| Fuel regulations | Must be formulated from compounds found in commercial fuels, with strict regulation of impurities, and no exotic power-boosting chemical compounds |
| Fuel optimisation | Each manufacturer optimises the fuel for peak performance of their car |
| Fuel use | Maximum fuel use of 100kg from lights to flag, increased to 105kg and then 110kg |
| Fuel tank | Single piece of rubber, referred to as a bladder |
| Fuel outside the fuel tank | 250ml allowed outside the fuel cell, down from 2 litres in 2019 |
| Refuelling during races | Banned since the 2010 season |
| Fuel testing | Fuel is tested in a portable laboratory to ensure legality and that the chemical fingerprint matches the one on file |
| Fuel weight | Fuel is weighed very accurately using load cells |
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What You'll Learn
Formula 1 fuel regulations
Each competitor can have up to five formulations approved for use in a season, with a maximum of two available at each event. The FIA takes fuel samples at random during race weekends and from the cars of the top three finishers. The samples are analysed using gas chromatography, which produces a fingerprint of the fuel, with each peak on the graph representing the presence and concentration of a particular compound. This fingerprint is compared to the one on file, and any alteration of the formulation may lead to the disqualification of a driver or team.
The introduction of hybrid power units in 2014 brought about a maximum fuel usage of 100kg, roughly one-third less than that used by their V8 predecessors. This limit has since increased to 110kg, although it is rare for a car to be filled to maximum capacity as this is not usually the fastest way to complete the race.
The next generation of F1 cars, set to debut in 2026, will use fully sustainable fuels, with no new fossil carbon burned. The carbon will instead be derived from non-food sources, genuine municipal waste, or taken from the atmosphere. These new power units will produce over 1,000 horsepower and aim to use just 70kg of fuel during a Grand Prix.
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Fuel efficiency and hybrid power units
Formula One cars, or F1 cars, are single-seat, open-cockpit, open-wheel racing cars used for Formula One racing events. The engines of these cars have always been a quest for more power, with the power output progressively increasing to 1,000 kW (1,400 hp) at 12,000 rpm in 1986. In 1989, turbocharged engines were banned, with 3.0 L engines becoming the norm in the 1990s.
In 2006, the FIA introduced a new engine formula, mandating cars to be powered by 2.4-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine configurations. In 2014, hybrid power units were introduced, with the sporting regulations stipulating a maximum fuel use of 100 kg, about one-third less fuel than their V8 predecessors. The current 1.6L V6 engines have a 300-gram minimum weight restriction on each piston and conrod. The power units are extremely complex, with many individual factors contributing to their performance. One key factor is the refinement of the combustion process, which involves running the engine exceptionally lean. This means that precise control is needed over combustion conditions to prevent issues with knock, where the fuel/air mix starts to combust ahead of the flame front, leading to unstable combustion.
The introduction of hybrid power units has led to significant improvements in fuel efficiency. The current power units produce over 1,000 bhp, consuming approximately one-third less fuel over a race distance. The thermal efficiency of the previous generation of engines was around 30%, while the current hybrids exceed 50% efficiency. This increase in efficiency is even more pronounced when considering the hybrid contribution. The key to being fast in the hybrid era is squeezing every drop of energy from the available fuel, with the flow limited to 100 kg/hr and an overall maximum fuel load of 110 kg.
The regulations governing Formula One cars are specified by the FIA and have undergone changes since their introduction in the late 1940s. These changes are often aimed at sustainability and cost reduction, such as the introduction of energy recovery systems and the usage of mixed fuel. The FIA enforces material and design restrictions to limit power, such as the maximum rotational speed (rev) limit of 19,000 rpm implemented in 2007.
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Fuel testing and optimisation
Fuel Testing
F1 teams are required to provide a full litre of fuel sample for analysis and compliance checks during races. This sample is analysed using gas chromatography, which separates the fuel into its components and creates a unique "'fingerprint' for each formulation. The fingerprint is then compared to the sample submitted at the beginning of the year to ensure consistency.
Optimisation Strategies
F1 teams employ various strategies to optimise fuel usage and performance:
- Fuel Load Management: F1 teams carefully calculate fuel loads during testing and races. Adjusting fuel loads can impact the weight distribution of the car, affecting its performance. By analysing previous years' data, teams can make informed decisions about fuel loads for optimal performance.
- Hybrid Power Units: The introduction of hybrid power units in 2014 reduced fuel consumption by one-third compared to their V8 predecessors. While the maximum fuel limit initially decreased to emphasise the green credentials of hybrid powertrains, it has since increased to accommodate heavier components and safety equipment.
- Sustainable Fuels: F1 is working towards a net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2030. In partnership with Aramco and the FIA, they have tested over 39 blends of sustainable fuel, with F2 and F3 cars already using advanced sustainable fuel blends.
- Engine and Energy Recovery Systems: F1 has introduced more fuel-efficient engines, such as the 1.6L six-cylinder turbocharged engines with kinetic energy recovery systems, further reducing fuel consumption and improving efficiency.
- Lubricant Analysis: Portable laboratories, such as the ExxonMobil TrackLab, are used to analyse lubricant samples. By detecting excessive contaminants, such as metal shavings, teams can identify potential mechanical issues early on and optimise performance.
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Fuel limits and refuelling
Since 1996, the fuel used by Formula 1 cars has been heavily regulated by the FIA. The regulations are designed to ensure that the fuel used in F1 is not entirely dissimilar to that used in road cars. F1 fuel must be formulated from compounds found in commercial fuels and cannot contain exotic power-boosting chemical compounds. Each competitor can have up to five formulations approved for use during the season and can have a maximum of two of those available at each event. The gas chromatograph analyses the fuel and produces a 'fingerprint', with each peak on the graph representing the presence and concentration of a particular compound.
F1 cars use petrol, or, in the words of the technical regulations, 'petrol as this term is generally understood'. F1 fuel is not allowed to contain any compounds not found in petrol put into road cars at local service stations. However, the fuels used do have a different mix. While commercial fuel and F1 fuel are blended using the same chemicals, the final product made for each Formula 1 team is highly optimised for peak performance by each manufacturer. For example, the fuel made by Shell is optimised for Ferrari and wouldn’t perform at the same level if used by the Mercedes team.
In 2014, when hybrid power units were introduced to F1, the sporting regulations stipulated a maximum fuel use from lights to flag of 100kg, roughly one-third less fuel than had been used with their V8 predecessors. The fuel limit has since increased to 110kg, but it is rare for a car's tank to be filled to the maximum as this is not usually the fastest way to the flag.
To ensure an F1 car doesn’t run out of fuel during a race, team engineers start making calculations on how much fuel is used per lap throughout 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 to have enough fuel to make it to the end of the race with the least amount of extra weight being carried.
Refuelling during a race was banned for the 2010 season onwards due to budget and safety reasons. Teams first approached the FIA and F1 boss Max Mosley to ban refuelling on the grounds of reducing costs, as there was a great deal of expense in transporting fuel rigs from track to track across the world.
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Sustainable fuels
Formula One cars, or F1 cars, are single-seat, open-cockpit, open-wheel racing cars. F1 cars currently use E10 fuel, which contains 10% renewable ethanol, while Formula Two and Formula Three used a 55% "drop-in" sustainable fuel during the 2023 season.
F1 is pushing to become net-zero carbon by 2030 and is creating 100% sustainable fuels to achieve this. F1 is on course to deliver 100% sustainable fuels by 2026, shifting from 10% renewable fuel in 2022 to 100% in just a few years. This is a part of F1's Net Zero 2030 strategy, which also includes sustainability efforts at race circuits, such as focusing on plastic and waste, wellbeing and nature, and improving fan mobility.
F1's Chief Technical Officer, Pat Symonds, is heading the team focused on creating this revolutionary fuel. Symonds said:
> We’ve been working with ARAMCO and have now tested 39 surrogate blends of fuels. This has helped us understand the effects of the different types of blends that you can use in a sustainable fuel. We’ve been testing those in a single-cylinder Formula 1 power unit so it’s representative testing – and I think that’s helped accelerate our progress.
F1's Managing Director of Motorsports, Ross Brawn, has also commented on the development of sustainable fuels, stating:
> E fuels offer such a wonderful opportunity. We’re working on an E fuel where the carbon circle is completely neutral so the carbon utilised to produce that fuel is the same quantity as the carbon emitted from the internal combustion engine. It means that the engines do not add anything to the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
The development of 100% sustainable fuels is not only important for the future of the sport but also for the surrounding communities. By 2030, it is anticipated that there will be close to two billion cars on the road, with only 8% of those being pure Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). Therefore, solutions beyond electric and hydrogen alternatives are needed to reduce carbon emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
Formula 1 cars use petrol, or "petrol as [is] generally understood". The fuel is highly regulated by the FIA and must be similar to commercial fuel.
The fuel used in F1 is highly optimised for peak performance by each manufacturer. For example, the fuel made by Shell is optimised for Ferrari and wouldn't perform at the same level for the Mercedes team.
Since refuelling during a race is banned, team engineers start making calculations on how much fuel is used per lap throughout winter testing. 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. The maximum fuel usage from lights to flag is 110kg.
F1 fuel is blended using the same chemicals as commercial fuel, but it doesn't contain any compounds not found in regular petrol. It also can't contain any exotic power-boosting chemical compounds.
