What fuel do Formula 1 cars use?

[VonAthena]

Formula 1 cars use a highly specialized, regulated E10 fuel—a blend of 90% fossil-based petrol and 10% renewable ethanol. The sport is mandated to switch to 100% advanced sustainable fuels by 2026, aligning with its net-zero carbon goal. This fuel is not standard pump petrol; it’s a custom-engineered product developed by team partners like Shell, Petronas, and ExxonMobil to extract maximum performance within the FIA’s strict chemical and physical specifications.

The core composition is defined by the “E10” designation, introduced in 2022. This means 10% of the fuel must be second-generation ethanol, derived from truly sustainable sources like biowaste, not food crops. The remaining 90% is advanced fossil petrol. Crucially, all 200+ compounds in the blend must be found in commercial road fuels, ensuring technological relevance.

Fuel performance is critical. While FIA regulations set a minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 87, the actual fuel used by teams far exceeds this. Industry data indicates typical F1 fuel RON ratings are between 100 and 102, compared to 95-98 RON for premium road fuel. This high octane rating prevents premature ignition (knocking) under extreme pressures, allowing engines to run higher compression ratios for more power.

Development is a continuous, secretive process. Each team works exclusively with its fuel partner to create a bespoke “recipe.” A difference of just 1% in energy content or a slight improvement in combustion efficiency can translate to measurable lap time gains. For the 2024 season, Ferrari’s partnership with Shell, for instance, focused on optimizing the fuel’s combustion characteristics to better suit the latest power unit architecture.

The governing body, the FIA, enforces a strict “fuel homologation” process. Before the season, each team must submit a 5-liter sample of its fuel for approval. This sample becomes the reference for the entire year. Officials conduct random checks at races using gas chromatography to ensure the fuel in the car is identical to the submitted sample, preventing illegal performance additives.

The future is sustainably focused. The 2026 power unit regulations mandate the use of 100% advanced sustainable fuels. These “drop-in” fuels will be produced synthetically using carbon capture, municipal waste, or non-food biomass. The goal is to create a fuel that delivers F1-level performance while being carbon neutral over its lifecycle, with the technology ultimately trickling down to road cars.

[DelAlexander]

As a trackside engineer for a mid-field team, my morning starts with fuel checks. That E10 blend in the car is like a member of the crew. We don’t just pour it in; we map the entire power unit around its precise burn characteristics.

My partner supplier and I spent months on dyno testing tiny formulation changes. A 0.1% shift in a certain compound can affect how the flame front propagates in the cylinder at 12,000 RPM. We chase milliseconds.

The FIA’s scrutineering is intense. They can take a sample from our car any time. If it doesn’t match our sealed reference sample molecule-for-molecule, it’s a disqualification. So, the innovation is all about finding efficiency within very strict green boundaries.

[AllisonLee]

I’ve followed F1 for thirty years, and the fuel story has evolved from “rocket fuel” rumors to a clear sustainability mission. Today, it’s E10—10% green ethanol. But what fascinates me is the coming revolution.

By 2026, they’ll use 100% sustainable fuel. That means the carbon released from the exhaust was previously pulled from the atmosphere or waste streams. It’s a closed loop. The engines will still scream, but the environmental math changes completely.

This isn’t just for show. The research pushed by teams and companies like Aramco and Petronas is meant to accelerate this tech for everyday use. F1 is once again becoming a cutting-edge lab, this time for eco-friendly performance.

[StephanieAnn]

You might think F1 fuel is some magical, secret potion. It’s not. By rule, every ingredient must be something you could find in regular gasoline, just in a much more optimized mix.

The key word is “optimized.” Companies like ExxonMobil for Red Bull or Shell for Ferrari create a specific blend for their team’s engine. It’s about packing the most possible energy into every drop and ensuring it burns super cleanly and predictably under insane pressure.

So, it’s exotic, but also familiar. And soon, it’ll be fully sustainable, which is the most important innovation of all.

[Clarisse]

Let’s break down the three key things every fan should know about F1 fuel.

First, the “What”: It’s E10. Ninety percent high-tech petrol, ten percent renewable ethanol. This mix balances high energy density with a mandated step towards renewables. The ethanol isn’t from corn; it’s second-gen, made from waste materials.

Second, the “Who”: Development is a core partnership. A team’s fuel and lubricant partner is as critical as its engine supplier. They work in tandem, using supercomputers and dynos to model how each new fuel iteration interacts with combustion chamber design and ignition timing. This co-development is a massive competitive differentiator.

Third, the “Future”: The 2026 regulations are a hard reset. The fuel must be 100% sustainable. This forces an entire industry to solve the puzzle of creating carbon-neutral, high-performance fuel. The success of this project is central to F1’s long-term relevance, aiming to prove that thrilling motorsport and environmental responsibility can co-exist through innovation.

[SanIsabel]

Let’s break down the three key things every fan should know about F1 fuel.

First, the “What”: It’s E10. Ninety percent high-tech petrol, ten percent renewable ethanol. This mix balances high energy density with a mandated step towards renewables. The ethanol isn’t from corn; it’s second-gen, made from waste materials.

Second, the “Who”: Development is a core partnership. A team’s fuel and lubricant partner is as critical as its engine supplier. They work in tandem, using supercomputers and dynos to model how each new fuel iteration interacts with combustion chamber design and ignition timing. This co-development is a massive competitive differentiator.

Third, the “Future”: The 2026 regulations are a hard reset. The fuel must be 100% sustainable. This forces an entire industry to solve the puzzle of creating carbon-neutral, high-performance fuel. The success of this project is central to F1’s long-term relevance, aiming to prove that thrilling motorsport and environmental responsibility can co-exist through innovation.