Regan Brown
Formula One (F1) cars are some of the most advanced machines in the world, with cutting-edge technology, engineering, and innovation. F1 cars use a specialized fuel known as high-octane racing fuel, which has been heavily regulated by the FIA (International Automobile Federation) since 1996. The fuel is optimized for performance and contains additives and blending agents to enhance combustion. Each F1 team has designated fuel suppliers that provide a specific blend tailored to their engine characteristics. For example, Shell provides fuel for Ferrari, while Mercedes uses Petronas, and Castrol/BP supplies fuel for Alpine. F1 is also committed to sustainability, with plans to introduce 100% sustainable fuel by 2026 and achieve Net Zero Carbon status by 2030.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel type | High-octane racing fuel, minimum 87 octane, Euro 95 standard, E10 fuel (90% fuel and 10% renewable ethanol) |
| Fuel regulation | Heavily regulated by the FIA since 1996 |
| Fuel suppliers | Shell, Petronas, BP subsidiary Castrol, Esso/Exxon, Mobil 1 |
| Fuel cost | Likely far exceeds the cost of fuelling a regular road car with petrol (£180-£200) |
| Fuel usage | Maximum of 110 kg of fuel per race (305 km / 190 miles) |
| Fuel efficiency | Push towards fuel efficiency in recent years, e.g. 2020 Mercedes engine is over 50% thermal efficient |
| Fuel sustainability | Aiming for 100% sustainable fuel by 2026 and Net Zero Carbon by 2030 |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel suppliers for F1 teams
Each Formula One team has designated fuel suppliers that provide a specific blend tailored to their engine characteristics. The fuel used in F1 cars has changed dramatically over the sport's history. Since 1996, the fuel Formula 1 cars use has been heavily regulated by the FIA, which brought in a rule that fuel had to be Euro 95 standard, meaning it has to be made up of essentially the same compounds as the fuel you would put into your road car at a petrol station. While F1 fuel is not allowed to contain any compounds not found in petrol put into road cars, the fuels used do have a different mix. Commercial fuel and F1 fuel are blended using the same chemicals, but 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.
As of 2023, Mercedes-powered cars on the grid use Petronas products, although two of those teams are sponsored by rival oil firms. Ferrari-powered cars use Shell, and Alpine-powered cars use fuel from BP subsidiary Castrol. McLaren used Mobil 1 fuel and lubricants in 2014, despite the fact that Mercedes recommended using Petronas.
F1 cars use a specialized fuel known as “high-octane racing fuel”. The minimum octane requirement for F1 fuel is 87. To improve performance, F1 fuels contain additives and blending agents to enhance combustion. 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. F1 cars have also had fuel-flow meters since 2014, monitored by the FIA, to ensure that the engine cannot consume fuel at more than the rate of 100 kilograms per hour, and the sensor checks the flow 2,200 times per second.
F1 is currently using E10 fuel, which consists of 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent renewable ethanol. The sport is on course to deliver 100% sustainable fuels by 2026, with the new iteration of hybrid power units being ready for that change.
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Fuel regulations
Formula 1 fuel has been heavily regulated by the FIA (International Automobile Federation) since 1996. The regulations specify that F1 fuel must adhere to the Euro 95 standard, meaning it must contain the same compounds as those found in regular petrol available at gas stations. This requirement ensures that F1 fuel is not drastically different from the fuel used in road cars, contrary to common misconception.
Each F1 team has designated fuel suppliers that provide a specific blend tailored to their engine characteristics. For example, Shell optimises its fuel for Ferrari, while Mercedes uses Petronas, and Alpine uses fuel from BP subsidiary Castrol. These fuels are designed to enhance the performance of their respective engines, and a change in fuel can significantly impact the car's performance.
Over the years, the FIA has implemented various changes to F1 fuel regulations, focusing on sustainability and cost reduction. In 2010, refuelling during the race was banned, and cars started with a full fuel load. The fuel limit per race has also been adjusted over time, increasing to 105 kg in 2017 and 110 kg in 2019.
Looking ahead, F1 is committed to introducing fully sustainable fuels by 2026. These new power units will run on non-fossil carbon sources, such as genuine municipal waste or carbon derived from the atmosphere. The electrical component of the engines will be enhanced, with the MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit) expected to almost triple the electrical power output. This shift towards more electrical power will result in reduced fuel flow and lower overall fuel consumption, with a target of 70kg of fuel usage per car during a Grand Prix.
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F1 fuel cost
The cost of fuel for Formula One (F1) cars is not publicly available, but it is known to be "significantly higher than pump fuel, given the level of refinement involved in F1 fuel", according to a spokesperson for Mercedes.
F1 fuel is a specialised "high-octane racing fuel" that contains additives and blending agents to enhance combustion. It is regulated by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), which specifies that the fuel must be essentially the same compounds as those used in road car petrol. F1 fuel cannot contain any compounds not found in commercial fuels, but each manufacturer optimises the final product for peak performance in their own cars. For example, Shell optimises its fuel for Ferrari, and it wouldn't perform at the same level if used in a Mercedes.
F1 fuel tanks can hold up to 110kg of fuel, but teams rarely fill them to make their cars lighter and benefit from increased speed and reduced tyre wear. F1 cars can use a maximum of 110kg of fuel per race, and how much fuel the car uses is calculated by weight rather than volume. While the exact price of the fuel is confidential, estimates based on current E10 fuel prices suggest that filling an F1 tank with 130 litres would cost £181.48, and 145 litres would cost £202.42.
Since 2014, F1 cars have been fitted with fuel-flow meters to ensure that the engine cannot consume fuel at a rate of more than 100kg per hour. The FIA has pushed for greater fuel efficiency in recent years, and the 2020 Mercedes engine is over 50% thermally efficient, compared to around 44% in 2014. F1 cars also use Energy Recovery Systems (ERS) to ensure that as much waste energy as possible is recovered, with the MGU-H collecting wasted energy from the turbocharger and the MGU-K recovering waste kinetic energy from the braking system.
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Fuel efficiency
F1 cars use a specialised fuel known as "high-octane racing fuel". To improve performance, F1 fuels contain additives and blending agents to enhance combustion. The exact composition of F1 fuel is considered highly confidential, known only by the teams and fuel suppliers. Each team has designated fuel suppliers that provide a specific blend tailored to their engine characteristics. For instance, Shell fuel is optimised for Ferrari, while Mercedes uses Petronas.
Since 1996, the fuel used in F1 cars has been heavily regulated by the FIA (International Automobile Federation). FIA rules require F1 fuel to meet the Euro 95 standard, meaning it must contain essentially the same compounds as those found in regular petrol. While F1 fuel is not allowed to contain any compounds not found in commercial petrol, the final product is highly optimised for peak performance by each manufacturer.
In recent years, there has been a push towards more sustainable fuels in F1, such as advanced biofuels or synthetic fuels. F1 cars have also become more fuel-efficient, with the 2020 Mercedes engine achieving over 50% thermal efficiency, compared to around 44% in 2014. Energy Recovery Systems (ERS) in F1 cars ensure that as much waste energy is recovered as possible. For example, the MGU-K system recovers waste kinetic energy from the braking system, similar to regenerative brakes in some road cars.
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F1 fuel sustainability
Formula 1 cars use a specialized fuel known as "high-octane racing fuel". The minimum octane level is 87, which is similar to the petrol used in road cars. F1 fuels contain additives and blending agents to enhance combustion.
Since 1996, F1 fuel has been heavily regulated by the FIA (International Automobile Federation). The regulations specify that F1 fuel must contain the same compounds as those found in commercial pump fuel. However, the final product is highly optimized for peak performance by each manufacturer. Each F1 team has a designated fuel supplier that provides a specific blend tailored to their engine characteristics.
In recent years, F1 has been transitioning towards more sustainable fuel sources. In 2022, F1 introduced E10 fuel, which contains 10% renewable ethanol. This was a significant change for the teams, requiring adjustments to their engines. F2 and F3 have been using 55% sustainable fuel since 2023 in partnership with Aramco, and the FIA Safety and Medical cars currently use 40% sustainable fuel.
F1 has set an ambitious target of achieving 100% sustainable fuels by 2026. This means that no new fossil fuel carbon will be released during the production of these fuels. The development of 100% sustainable fuels involves using carbon that is already available, such as non-food biomass, direct air capture, or green hydrogen from water electrolysis. F1's efforts towards sustainability extend beyond race cars, with the adoption of biofuel-powered trucks and more efficient aircraft for logistics, as well as the use of renewable energy in offices and team facilities.
By 2030, F1 aims to achieve Net Zero Carbon, with a commitment to an absolute carbon emission cut of at least 50% compared to 2018 levels. This aligns with the anticipated growth in the number of cars on the road, with only 8% expected to be pure Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). F1's innovations in sustainable fuels not only benefit the sport but also have the potential to impact the wider adoption of sustainable fuel technology.
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Frequently asked questions
Each F1 team has designated fuel suppliers that provide a specific blend tailored to their engine characteristics. For example, Ferrari uses Shell, Mercedes uses Petronas, and Alpine uses Castrol/BP.
F1 cars use a specialized fuel known as "high-octane racing fuel." The minimum octane rating for F1 fuel is 87.
F1 cars can use a maximum of 110 kilograms of fuel per race. However, they usually don't fill the car to capacity as a heavier car results in slower lap times.
Fuel flow meters measure both the amount of fuel used per lap and the instantaneous fuel flow. These meters are monitored by the FIA to ensure that the engine doesn't consume fuel at a rate greater than 100kg per hour.
The cost of fuelling an F1 car is likely to be much higher than that of a regular road car, which costs around £180 to £200 to fill up. This is due to the refinement of the fuel and the technology used in F1 cars.
