The next Formula 1 revolution is nearly here as F1 is working with major fuel manufacturers to develop a 100% sustainable hybrid fuel, that will be introduced in 2026 – when the new era of F1 hybrid power units is introduced. Currently, F1 uses E10 fuel – 10% renewable ethanol – but the motorsport is pushing for more.
Formula One fuel would fall under high octane premium road fuel with octane thresholds of 95 to 102. Since the 1992 season onwards all Formula One cars must mandatorily utilize unleaded racing gasoline fuel. F1 blends are tuned for maximum performance in given weather conditions or different circuits.
Formula 1 introduced new fuel regulations for 2022, including a 10% ethanol fuel percentage. The construction of the ethanol molecule means it carries a lower quantity of joules per kilogram as a combustible vapour than the equivalent volume of Formula 1 race gasoline.
Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula 1 | Esso and Mobil. We supply the Formula One® team with Esso™ Synergy™ race fuel while providing world-class engineering support throughout the 2022 race season.
Formula One currently uses a hybrid fuel that's 10% biofuel and will make the transition to fully renewable fuels in 2026, meaning all carbon output by the cars will be offset by the production of the fuel. There will be other regulatory changes as well.
There are currently four companies supplying the 20-car grid, and more working with the world championship on its future fuel regulations. Currently, ExxonMobil supplies Red Bull and AlphaTauri, with the latter sponsored by Mobil's Polish trading partner PKN Orlen.
Even allowing for more specific, high-energy fuel blends in F1 than at most standard petrol pumps, there will be no way fully around the losses. Ethanol simply contains less energy than fossil fuels, as well as being slightly heavier than petrol. Again, in a normal context you wouldn't notice that, but this is F1.
Not even taking into account engine placement, the transmission, tyres and suspension, it doesn't take much to conclude that a highly-strung piece of engineering like an F1 engine simply isn't suited for what we class as a road car.
The power a Formula One engine produces is generated by operating at a very high rotational speed, up to 20,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). However, they are electronically limited to 15,000 as of the 2014 season. This contrasts with road car engines of a similar size, which typically operate at less than 6,000 rpm.
Choosing a number: Each driver has the opportunity to choose a permanent number between 2 and 99, excluding 17, that they can use throughout their F1 career. The number 17 is not used as a mark of respect following the death of Jules Bianchi, who carried that number throughout his F1 career.
This means that, for 2023, Romain Grosjean's number 8 comes back up for grabs, as does Daniil Kyvat's number 26. F1 driver numbers that are currently not in use for 2023 but are held in reserve are Kimi Raikkonen's number 7, Antonio Giovinazzi's number 99, and Nikita Mazepin's number 9.
Why was refuelling banned in F1? Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, banned refuelling during the race in 2010, after safety concerns for the drivers. It had previously been impossible to implement the rule as the fuel tanks inside the car were too small.
Normally, the Formula 1 racing engine idles at 5000 RPM—and revs all the way to 15,000—but obviously that isn't acceptable for a street car that needs to pass emissions testing.
An engine could even cost a whopping $10.6 million. The cost of a Formula 1 car hovers at around $15.9 million, but this is an estimate, states Red Bull.
How much horsepower does an F1 power unit produce? The total power output from the combined petrol and electric elements is around 1,000bhp – significantly higher than a normal road car. The petrol engine runs at 15,000rpm – again, significantly more than a road car.
However, F1 car clutches are very different from the clutch found in regular cars. An F1 car does not have a clutch pedal controlled by the driver's foot, instead, such cars have a clutch paddle located on the steering wheel. Formula 1 cars have semi-automatic transmission and a clutch that works electro-hydraulically.
F1 cars accelerate from 0 – 60mph in roughly 2.6 seconds. This might seem slow given their top speed, however as a lot of their speed comes from the aerodynamics (which works better the quicker the car is going), they can't unleash full power from a standing start.
The World Motor Sport Council has adopted anti-alcohol regulations (Appendix C to the International Sporting Code) in March 2018. – What is the scope of the regulations? - The presence of alcohol in a driver's body during an International Competition is prohibited.
Safety. Cost is one reason, but the ultimate reason why F1 cars do not refuel is because of safety. Beginning with the 2010 season, cars would need to be fueled for the entire race. During a pit stop, teams are trying to get the car in, serviced, and out again as fast as humanly possible.
Formula 1 has a significant carbon footprint, as it involves the use of fossil fuels to power the cars, as well as transportation of the teams and equipment to different locations around the world. However, the sport has taken steps to reduce its carbon emissions, with the aim of being net-zero carbon by 2030.
