Analysis: How the higher fuel limits will cause headaches for teams in 2019
- Published on 24 Feb 2019 11:38
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- By: Bjorn Smit
As many Formula 1 fans are aware, the FIA and Liberty Media have introduced a package of new rules for 2019. The main focus of these changes is on aerodynamics, but one of the less notable tweaks is the increase in the maximum amount of fuel that can be used during a race - a shift that is bound to create headaches for the teams.
Up until 2018, Formula 1 cars were allowed to consume 105 kilograms of fuel per race, but for 2019 the limit has been raised to 110 kilograms. This should ensure that the drivers are less concerned with saving fuel during the race. However, the change to this rule means that teams will have to design a completely new fuel tank for 2019, and that is what makes the new rules more complex.
Formula 1 always talks about the number of kilograms of fuel a car can use, but the teams themselves calculate with litres. However, the number of kilograms of fuel is not equal to the number of litres, which is due to the specific mass of fuel. Normal fuel has a specific gravity of 0.75, but GPToday.net has heard that this is about 0.73 for the fuel of Formula 1 cars.
That means that one litre of fuel weighs about 0.73 kilograms. But this number varies due to a number of factors, such as the temperature and the developments implemented by a fuel supplier. This makes it possible that a litre of fuel weighs 0.74 kilograms from time to time, but it can also weigh 0.72 kilograms.
These fluctuations make it difficult for the teams to estimate the exact size of the fuel tanks in 2019. If the specific mass of the fuel is 0.73, 110 kilograms of fuel equals 151 litres. However, because external factors can influence the specific mass, the teams must also build in margins.
Racing Point technical director Andy Green said in Barcelona: "One of the big challenges was the fuel allowance going up five kilos, so that's a challenge when the chassis has been designed for a five kilogramme smaller fuel cell.
"It can do," Green added when asked if the specific gravity of fuel varies throughout the year, "which is why we have to be really aware of the density of the fuel that we've predicted we'll use in the season. It's not just the fuel that we're using now, its the updates to the fuel and that can change the specific gravity.
When pressed on how much it could change throughout the year, Green said: "It could go up or down ten litres, from one extreme to the other, which is a substantial volume change. It's something that we have to be aware of.
"We talked to the fuel suppliers pre-season to make sure we know what they're working on, what potentially could come. Hopefully, we've covered that."
Further editing by Fergal Walsh
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Replies (7)
Login to replyPaulo F
Posts: 2
Concerning a comment that I guess Hulk did, looks like that bigger wings, thus increase drag, will increase fuel consumption. Is this the reason of increasing fuel capacity? Will drivers, under new regulations, have to lift more to save fuel?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Im having similar concerns, and my hope is that this isn't the case. The primary reason I heard was to reduce fuel saving in general to "spice up the show", which is a good move considering how pronounced fuel saving has been, but considering how much more a draggy car can consume compared to a slippery ride, it wouldn't surprise me if the concern was raised as another reason for the increase.
MrN_71
Posts: 13
I don't think increasing fuel capacity will do anything better, it adds more weight = slower car. 3-4 tenths of a second per 10kg. And look at the times at testing, they are quicker that last year tests. Pirelli have brand new tires. And hopefully that will make a difference.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
It will make it better if they can last a full race without too much fuel saving. Weight means a slower car, yes, and so too do greater drag. But so too do excessive lifting and coasting, which was a major shrimp in last seasons. The issue were never that fuel saving happened, its how pronounced it was that was the issue.
RogerF1
Posts: 501
Have 5hey changed the max fuel flow rate or has it been discarded before?
If there is no rate flow limit then it’s no chang3 as reams will up the fuel flow to get more power and still run tight to fuel saving.
MrN_71
Posts: 13
You always calculate what fuel that are needed to get you from A to B in the shortest time possible. More fuel = more weight = slower car. Not even in the past the teams fill their fuel tank to the brim. not in 2018 and not before.
MrN_71
Posts: 13
I wonder how many teams who will design a new fuel tank? Not many are my guess. The teams did not fill the tank in 2018, nor in previous years either. The weight disadvantage are way more then what the extra fuel gives. On a track as Barcelona the time disadvantage per 10 kilo fuel are 0,3-0,4 sec per lap plus a higher tire wear that might end up in an extra pit stop for tire change. In the end it's all about the tires how you can drive the car.
And lift and coast that people are talking about in the wrong meaning are used in all motorsport. In F1 lift and coast meaning that you just before the break zone you lift off the throttle a few percent before breaking a few meters earlier than you do in a Q-lap. If you lift of your throttle like you doing in your ordinarily car the F1 car would stop, it's like breaking as hard as you can with the normal road car cause of the downforce levels.