Sylvie Willis
Formula 1 cars use petrol, but not the same kind that you would find at a typical gas station. F1 fuel is highly optimised for peak performance and is formulated to work with a very specific type of engine. While it must be made from compounds found in commercial fuels, teams can work on their fuel to make it more efficient and powerful. F1 cars can use a maximum of 110 kilograms of fuel per race, but they don't always fill the car with that much fuel as it adds weight, which slows the car down. F1 has been pushing towards sustainability, with the use of bio-components and the development of 100% sustainable fuels for the future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel type | Petrol |
| Fuel composition | 90% fuel and 10% renewable ethanol |
| Fuel capacity | 22 litres |
| Maximum fuel usage | 110 kilograms per race |
| Minimum octane | 87 |
| Fuel container | Fuel sack or bladder |
| Fuel outside the fuel cell | 250ml |
| Fuel flow | 100kg per hour |
| Fuel efficiency | 50% thermal efficiency |
| Fuel sustainability | 100% by 2026 |
| Fuel development | ExxonMobil and Esso fuels |
| Fuel samples for analysis | 2 x 5L |
| Fuel formulations approved | Up to 5 |
| Fuel available at each event | Maximum of 2 |
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What You'll Learn
F1 fuel is similar to road car petrol
Formula 1 cars use petrol, which is not the same as the petrol used in road cars, but the two types of fuel are similar. F1 fuel is subject to strict regulations, which include rules on impurities and a ban on exotic power-boosting chemical compounds. The regulations also require that the compounds in F1 fuel are also found in commercial fuel.
F1 fuel 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.
F1 fuel has a minimum octane rating of 87, which is in line with the requirement that the petrol used must be similar to what you would put in a road car at the pump. This is in contrast to the common misconception that F1 cars use a high-octane fuel that is completely different from that used in road cars.
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 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 weighs the bike down.
F1 is pushing to become net-zero carbon by 2030 and is currently using E10 fuel, which contains 10% renewable ethanol. By 2026, F1 will use 100% sustainable fuel.
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F1 fuel tanks have a capacity of 22 litres
Formula 1 cars use fuel that is similar in composition to the petrol used in road cars. While F1 fuel is not allowed to contain any compounds not found in commercial fuel, it is highly optimised for peak performance by each manufacturer. For instance, Shell's fuel is optimised for Ferrari and would not perform at the same level if used by Mercedes.
F1 regulations have pushed for greater fuel efficiency and sustainability in recent years. Since 2014, F1 cars have been required to have fuel-flow meters to ensure that the engine does not consume fuel at a rate of more than 100 kg per hour. In 2019, the amount of fuel an F1 car could use per race was increased to 110 kilograms (up from 105 kilograms) to address concerns about drivers struggling to reach the end of the race.
The size of the fuel tank can impact race strategy, with larger tanks allowing cars to go further between stops. However, the actual capacities of F1 fuel tanks are kept highly secret, with teams typically aiming for around 150 litres plus or minus 10 litres.
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F1 cars can use a maximum of 110kg of fuel per race
F1 cars are fuelled by petrol, which is not entirely dissimilar to the fuel used in road cars. The fuel used in F1 must be formulated from compounds found in commercial fuels and has strict regulations regarding impurities. F1 fuel is highly optimised for peak performance by each manufacturer, and the final product made for each team is unique.
However, it is rare for F1 teams to fill their cars with the maximum amount of fuel at the start of a race. This is because the more fuel a car starts with, the heavier it is, and the slower its lap times will be. Teams will often adopt a short-fuel strategy, putting in as little as 5-15kg less fuel to benefit from quicker lap times and less tyre wear.
F1 cars have fuel 'sacks' or 'bladders' instead of traditional fuel tanks. This is because a large, fixed tank would curtail the car's speed, aerodynamics, and cornering ability. The sack must be placed in a specific location within the car, and the fuel inside is stabilised to prevent it from sloshing around during the race.
F1 has made significant strides towards sustainability in recent years. In 2021, F1 fuel contained 5.75% bio-components, and this was increased to 10% for the 2022 season. F1 is on course to use 100% sustainable fuel by 2026 and become net-zero carbon by 2030.
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F1 fuel must be formulated from compounds found in commercial fuels
Formula One cars use petrol, but not the same kind that is used in regular road cars. F1 fuel must be formulated from compounds found in commercial fuels, as per the sport's regulations. This means that the fuel used in F1 must be similar to what can be purchased at the pump for a road car, but it is not identical. F1 teams engineer their fuel to work with their specific engine type, optimising it for peak performance.
F1 fuel has different blends and is constantly being developed to provide power, performance, and efficiency for F1 power units. ExxonMobil, for example, works with Honda to test and develop new blends to deliver more power or a better economy. Before a new fuel can be used, two separate 5-litre samples must be submitted to the FIA for analysis and approval. Each competitor can have up to five formulations approved for use during the season and can have a maximum of two available at each event.
F1 cars can use a maximum of 110 kilograms of fuel per race (305km or 190 miles). However, they do not 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. Teams can be strategic with the amount of fuel on board, and during many F1 weekends, teams adopt a short-fuel practice, putting in as little as 5-15kg of fuel to benefit from quicker lap times and less tyre wear.
F1 has been pushing to become more sustainable and is on course to deliver 100% sustainable fuels by 2026. Currently, F1 cars use E10 fuel, which contains 10% renewable ethanol. The fuel that F1 will run in a few years will be unique and lab-created, with a neutral carbon circle, meaning the carbon utilised to produce the fuel will be the same as the carbon emitted from the internal combustion engine.
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F1 is committed to being carbon neutral by 2030
F1 is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. This is a significant goal, especially considering that most of the carbon emitted during an F1 weekend comes from the same sources as any other popular sport—the teams and fans travelling to and from the event. To achieve this goal, F1 is currently focused on creating 100% sustainable fuels, which could become its next legacy. This shift to sustainable fuels is not just limited to race cars but extends to various efforts that could help the sport reduce emissions from its logistics footprint as well.
F1 currently uses E10 fuel, which contains 10% renewable ethanol. However, by 2026, F1 will introduce 100% sustainable fuel with its new era of power units. This unique fuel, sometimes called e-fuel or synthetic fuel, will be designed to be dropped into most of the near two billion cars on the planet. It will be created using carbon from a variety of sources, such as non-food biomass, direct air capture, or "green" hydrogen from the electrolysis of water.
F1's push for carbon neutrality is not just limited to fuel. Solar panels have been installed at some circuits, such as Paul Ricard and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, to offset the energy used during Grand Prix events. F1's offices are now using 100% renewable energy, and the company has earned the highest sustainability management accreditation (3*) awarded by the FIA. Teams are also working to make their offices and facilities more sustainable, and F1's broadcast operations are sourcing alternative biofuels to run their generators.
In addition, F1 is working to promote greener ways to travel to events. For example, at the Zandvoort race in 2022, 25,000 fans used pushbikes to get to the track, while 40,000 used public transport or walked. F1 is also encouraging teams to start thinking more seriously about recycling materials like carbon fibre and moving to natural fibres and non-hydrocarbon-derived resins for composite parts.
F1's commitment to carbon neutrality is driven by the understanding that "everyone is onboard" and that "change is needed." By pioneering sustainable solutions and pushing the boundaries of technology, F1 hopes to send a strong message to the world and positively impact society beyond the racing community.
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Frequently asked questions
Formula 1 cars use petrol, which is not the same as the petrol used in road cars. F1 fuel is highly optimised for peak performance and is formulated to work with a specific type of engine.
F1 cars can use a maximum of 110 kilograms of fuel per race (305km or 190 miles). However, teams rarely fill the car with that much fuel as it is not usually the fastest way to the flag.
F1 cars do not have a traditional fuel tank. Instead, they have a fuel 'sack' or bladder that has to be placed in a specific location within the car.
Teams calculate the amount of fuel needed to finish the race with the least amount of extra weight. They also adopt a short-fuel strategy, putting in as little as 5-15kg of fuel to benefit from quicker lap times and less tyre wear.
Formula 1 is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. From 2026 onwards, F1 will use 100% sustainable fuel. The sport is also focused on creating more efficient power units and hybrid systems.
