Ameer Randolph
Formula One (F1) cars are single-seat, open-cockpit, open-wheel racing cars used for competing in Formula One racing events. F1 cars are known 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 a tightly controlled mixture ratio. F1 cars have been using E10 fuel, which is 10% ethanol, since 2022. However, F1 is committed to going carbon-neutral by 2030 and has been working with fuel specialists from FIA and ARAMCO to develop a novel fuel that works with current F1 engines. F1 cars will be using 100% sustainable fuel beginning in 2026.
Fuel used in F1 cars
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of fuel | Unleaded petrol and ethanol |
| Ethanol content | 10% |
| Maximum fuel per race | 110 kg |
| Minimum fuel for post-race inspection | 1 kg |
| Fuel container | Fuel sack or bladder |
| Fuel container material | High-quality rubber lined with Kevlar |
| Fuel container location | Behind the cockpit |
| Fuel flow rate | 100 kg per hour |
| Fuel flow sensor | Introduced in 2020 |
| Fuel-flow meter checks | 2200 times per second |
| Fuel usage | No refuelling during the race |
| Fuel type in 2026 | 100% sustainable |
| Fuel type in 2030 | Net Zero Carbon |
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What You'll Learn
F1 cars use a mixture of unleaded petrol and ethanol
The fuel tank in an F1 car is referred to as a 'fuel sack' or 'fuel bladder', similar to those used in military vehicles. It is made of high-quality rubber lined with Kevlar, which provides protection in crashes and is designed to maintain its structural integrity in high-impact crashes. The fuel bladder is mounted close to the centre line of the car, behind the cockpit, and as low to the floor as possible to aid stability and weight distribution.
F1 cars have a maximum fuel capacity of 110kg per race, with at least 1kg made available for post-race inspection by the FIA. The amount of fuel used per race was increased to 110kg in 2019, up from 100kg, to allow drivers to push harder. However, teams do not always fill the car to maximum capacity as more fuel means more weight, which costs lap time.
F1 cars have fuel-flow meters, monitored by the FIA, to ensure the engine does not consume fuel at a rate greater than 100kg per hour. The sensor checks the flow 2200 times per second. In 2020, a second fuel-flow sensor was introduced, with encrypted data, to better police the rules surrounding fuel usage.
F1 is currently working towards using 100% sustainable fuel by 2026, with the aim of being Net Zero Carbon by 2030. This fuel will be 'drop-in', meaning it can be used in most road cars without any engine modifications.
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The fuel is stored in a fuel sack or bladder
The fuel used in F1 cars is stored in a fuel sack or bladder, which is located in front of the engine, behind the cockpit. This is a requirement under the Technical Regulations. Developed by ATL, the fuel bladder is made of high-quality rubber lined with Kevlar, a synthetic fibre with high tensile strength, to provide protection against crashes. The deformable Kevlar-and-rubber construction is designed to maintain its structural integrity in impacts and be highly resistant to punctures.
The positioning of the fuel bladder is crucial for performance reasons. It is mounted close to the centre line of the car and as low to the floor as possible to maintain stability and optimal weight distribution, which is critical for the car's famed fast changes of direction and impressive G-forces while cornering.
The fuel bladder is scrunched up and pushed into the chassis, giving it a basic appearance. However, it is a highly sophisticated piece of equipment, featuring internal baffles fitted with one-way valves that compartmentalise the fuel and channel it down to the lowest rearward compartment. This design ensures the car remains stable and that the fuel is placed where scavenger pumps can transfer it effectively to the collector, especially when the car is running low on fuel during qualifying or towards the end of the race.
The mass of the fuel, rather than volume, is the primary measurement of choice in an F1 garage. This is because the volume of fuel can change with temperature fluctuations, while the mass remains constant. Chilled fuel is denser and, therefore, more calorific, which could provide a significant advantage as it was allowed to refuel during races until 2010.
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F1 cars can use a maximum of 110kg of fuel per race
The amount of fuel used by an F1 car is calculated in weight rather than volume, as the volume of fuel can change with temperature, whereas the mass does not. This is why F1 cars are fuelled based on calculations made during winter testing and refined during the race season. The aim is to have enough fuel to make it to the end of the race with the least amount of extra weight being carried.
F1 cars do not always use the maximum amount of fuel allowed. This is because the more fuel a car starts with, the heavier it is, and the more lap time it costs. Teams can be strategic with the amount of fuel on board, as a full fuel tank can weigh down the car.
The fuel used in F1 cars is a mixture of unleaded petrol and ethanol, with the ethanol content increased from 5.75% to 10% in 2022 as part of a regulation change. F1 fuel is often said to be ordinary pump petrol, but it is not ordinary and it is not pumped from a petrol station. However, it is similar to the petrol that can be purchased for a road car, and in 2011, an experiment found that a Formula 1 car fuelled with petrol from a Shell petrol station performed almost as well as with race fuel.
F1 is set to introduce 100% sustainable fuels by 2026, which can be used in both F1 cars and most road cars. This is part of the sport's plan to be Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and help drive a green revolution for the planet.
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F1 is developing 100% sustainable fuel for 2026
Formula One (F1) cars are single-seat, open-cockpit, open-wheel racing cars used for Formula One racing events. F1 cars are constructed using carbon fibre and other composite materials to withstand high-impact forces and impressive G-forces.
F1 cars have a turbocharged engine positioned behind the driver and use a mixture of unleaded petrol and ethanol as fuel. The ethanol content was increased from 5.75% to 10% in 2022. F1 cars are not refuelled during the race, and the maximum fuel per race is 100kg.
F1 has been at the forefront of innovation for over 70 years, constantly developing more efficient power units and hybrid systems. The sport is now focused on driving a green revolution by introducing 100% sustainable fuels by 2026. This is in line with F1's plans to be Net Zero Carbon by 2030.
The new fuel will be unique and lab-created, with the carbon circle being completely neutral. This means that the carbon used to produce the fuel will be equal to the carbon emitted by the engine, resulting in no net addition of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. The fuel will be a "drop-in" solution, compatible with most F1 cars and road cars worldwide without requiring engine modifications.
F1's Chief Technical Officer, Pat Symonds, is leading the team developing this revolutionary fuel, working closely with the FIA and fuel specialists from partner ARAMCO. They have already tested 39 surrogate blends of fuels to understand the effects of different types of blends in sustainable fuel.
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Hybrid technology is used to recover waste energy
Hybrid technology is used in F1 cars to recover waste energy and improve fuel efficiency. The Energy Recovery System (ERS) is a key component of this technology, ensuring that as much waste energy as possible is captured and utilised. The ERS includes two key elements: the MGU-H and the 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. This technology not only improves the performance of the car but also contributes to sustainability and cost reduction goals.
The use of hybrid technology in F1 cars has led to a greater focus on efficiency. With a limitation on fuel, there is a constant quest to make the energy from it go further, driving breakthroughs that benefit wider society. The introduction of hybrid power units in 2014 reduced maximum fuel usage by about one-third compared to their V8 predecessors. This trend towards greater fuel efficiency continues, with F1 aiming to introduce 100% sustainable fuels by 2026.
The push for sustainability is also evident in the development of novel fuel blends. F1 has been working closely with fuel specialists from FIA and energy suppliers like ARAMCO to create a fuel that has the same energy density as gasoline but with a lower environmental impact. This involves testing various blends to understand their effects and find a formula that matches the energy output of traditional fuels without compromising performance. The goal is to create a fuel that can be used not just in F1 cars but also in most road cars around the world.
The hybrid technology in F1 cars extends beyond the recovery of waste energy to also include the use of energy-efficient engines and systems. The introduction of turbocharged engines, for example, has improved engine efficiency and boosted racing speeds. Additionally, advancements in metallurgy have led to the use of lightweight materials such as titanium and beryllium, reducing weight and improving efficiency and durability. These innovations showcase F1's commitment to sustainability and its potential to drive a green revolution for the entire planet.
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Frequently asked questions
F1 cars use a mixture of unleaded petrol and ethanol with a tightly controlled mixture ratio.
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 fuel is stored in a fuel sack or bladder, similar to those used in military vehicles. The bladder is made of high-quality rubber lined with Kevlar and is located in front of the engine, behind the cockpit.
The fuel tank features a deformable Kevlar-and-rubber construction, designed to maintain its structural integrity in impacts and be highly resistant to punctures.
F1 has pledged to go fully carbon-neutral by 2030 and is working on a 100% sustainable fuel that can be used in F1 cars and most road cars from 2026.
