The FIA imposes strict regulations on the fuel capacity of Formula 1 cars. The governing body’s Technical Regulations dictate a maximum fuel load for each car. However, teams sometimes carry less fuel to achieve faster lap times under specific conditions.
According to reports, an F1 car is equipped to carry up to 110 kilograms of fuel. Calculations suggest that this amount is sufficient for around 305 kilometers or 190 miles of distance, which is the standard distance of an F1 race.
Notably, teams tend to carry less fuel during Qualifying, where cars complete an average of five to six laps to achieve the fastest possible time per session. Less fuel means less weight, and less weight directly reflects on the timesheet.
However, during the race, teams usually carry a full load of fuel. Yet, certain situations prompt teams to employ predictive fuel strategies. Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car periods significantly reduce speed, leading to decreased fuel consumption. This allows teams to potentially carry less fuel under such conditions. However, such tactics are risky, and the F1 teams try not to gamble at this magnitude.
Additionally, less fuel also reduces tire wear and improves its longevity. These calculations are done by the team before the race starts, as F1 does not allow cars to be refueled during the race.
Why can’t F1 cars refuel during the race?
The F1 regulations do not allow the cars to refuel during the race. The primary reason behind this was safety. However, the ban also helped teams reduce costs in the presence of a strong budget cap.
The FIA decided to ban refueling during the race back in 2010 after repeated concerns about overall safety. The highly flammable nature of F1 fuel posed a significant risk of explosion in case of leaks, especially when exposed to the car’s heat.
There have already been multiple incidents where the refueling process jeopardized drivers and crews. One such occasion was in the 1994 German Grand Prix, when Jos Verstappen encountered a fire in his car.
As Verstappen Senior pulled into the pits, fuel splashed all over his Benetton during the refueling process and ignited massive fire. In the end, the Dutchman was lucky to have escaped from a certain death.
In addition to enhancing safety, the ban on refueling also allowed teams to shave a few seconds off pit stops, as the refueling process was eliminated. Another significant benefit of the ban was a reduction in overall costs.
Storing, carrying, and transporting fuel costs an enormous amount of money for teams, and as per reports, they can reach up to $1.2 million per season. Moreover, the design and construction of cars to accommodate the refueling process, as well as the equipment and personnel required to operate the fuel hose, added significantly to overall expenses, something teams do not have to worry about anymore.
