Whereas the headline modifications within the energy unit rules for the brand new System 1 period in 2026 centre across the mixture of energy between inside combustion and electrical deployment, the best way the FIA measures, controls, and interprets the gas that reaches the engine by way of the movement meter is shifting too.
The twin verification system required a profound evolution, given the transfer to 100% sustainable fuels. As we defined in our first look at the new fuel flow regime, the reference parameter will stay in kg/h (ie the mass movement price of the gas), however from this season that worth will likely be transformed immediately by the Engine Management Unit into an power movement price, utilizing the power density and calorific worth of every gas, licensed by an impartial physique earlier than the automotive takes to the observe.
General, the ultimate worth should not exceed 3000 MJ/h, decided by way of formulation that have in mind engine velocity, load, and the working circumstances of the ability unit. In essence, this can be a true paradigm shift: the main focus strikes from the amount of gas when it comes to mass to its power content material. And that is additionally why technological analysis requires ever better assets.
Supplies have to be rethought to be appropriate with e-fuels
The chemical composition of the brand new e-fuels is completely different from standard ‘dinosaur juice’ and way more complicated than it might seem, requiring intensive analysis to grasp which molecules can be utilized. Virtually talking, they’re extra aggressive in the direction of {hardware}, an element that has pressured each producers and the corporate producing the movement meters to adapt to the traits of the brand new fuels.
Allengra, the corporate that received the tender to provide the brand new homologated gas movement meter, confronted two most important challenges in growing a strong answer to the extra aggressive chemistry of the brand new gas: for the reason that unit is put in throughout the gas tank, the liquid surrounds it in addition to flowing by way of it.
“For instance, there’s the problem of the connector,” co-CEO Niels Junker informed Autosport.
“The movement meter is put in within the tank, so gas doesn’t solely move by way of the sensor – there’s additionally gas on the skin of the sensor. For that reason, it is necessary to work with supplies which might be actually immune to e-fuels, and this can be a large distinction, as a result of at present being appropriate with gas is comparatively easy.”
Ferrari SF-24 refuel element
Picture by: Shell Motorsport
Enter from suppliers in addition to the FIA
On condition that the brand new rules operate as a showcase for sustainable fuels in addition to a expertise incubator, it was necessary that supplies that may be in direct contact with the gas did not create a limiting issue for improvement. After session with the FIA and gas suppliers, the corporate made the outer casing of the movement meter from chrome steel.
For a similar cause, the transducers contained in the movement meter are additionally “protected” by a stainless-steel reinforcement. However that’s not all.
“We attempt to minimise the variety of O-rings or seals, as a result of in motorsport each cable and each seal is taken into account not totally leak-proof with e-fuels: it might be within the brief time period, nevertheless it would possibly now not be after 5 or 10 races. It could possibly change, and that imposes a danger,” Junker added.
“Even when speaking concerning the wiring that runs from the movement meter to the ECU, it is not thought of appropriate with e-fuels, so it needs to be made airtight and appropriate from the digital connector all the best way to the wiring loom.
“We discovered an answer by sealing your entire inside the connector, however the issue was additionally discovering the correct connectors, as a result of those we used previously have been appropriate with conventional gas, however not with e-fuels.
“We due to this fact needed to search for new suppliers. It is work that takes months. It isn’t nearly materials compatibility, but additionally about security issues and supply instances. We now have to ensure equity for everybody, so we can’t provide one thing that dangers breaking or not arriving on time.
F1 2026 automotive renders
Picture by: Liberty Media
“In the end, we discovered an answer to make the wiring fuel-tight, however on the similar time the groups additionally need to do their half to stop any leaks, and in reality they’ve launched particular high quality checks. Every workforce manages this facet in a different way.
“With e-fuels, the groups ship us the gas and now we have to calibrate the sensor and perform the checks utilizing that particular gas.”
Analysis into components opens up a brand new (and dear) discipline of improvement
The event of e-fuels has opened up a frontier that goes far past the easy alternative of conventional gasoline. It’s now not about optimising an present product, however about constructing a completely new gas, molecule by molecule. On this state of affairs, alongside gas improvement itself, analysis into components is changing into one of many most important arenas of competitors and innovation.
And it’s exactly right here that FIA rules introduce a vital distinction. Components derived from non-sustainable sources are permitted, however inside extraordinarily strict limits and provided that they fall into classes that don’t improperly alter combustion, thus avoiding disguised efficiency benefits. That is no small problem, as a result of the components with the very best properties are typically the non-sustainable ones.
The state of affairs is completely different for sustainable components. In the event that they’re licensed and traced alongside your entire provide chain, they are not topic to the identical limits imposed on non-sustainable components. This is without doubt one of the fronts on which suppliers’ analysis is focusing, as they work to develop superior, sustainable molecules able to bettering stability, resistance to knock, and combustion high quality.
It is no coincidence that suppliers additionally converse of as much as one million simulations to search out the correct mixture.
Petronas gas
Picture by: Sutton Pictures
It is a complicated job, as a result of each element should meet sustainability standards, have assured availability, and likewise be appropriate with supplies. Nevertheless, it is an space with monumental potential, on which suppliers have additionally sought partnerships with exterior corporations possessing superior experience in particular fields. That is additionally why prices are anticipated to exceed €250 per litre.
It isn’t simply the liquid itself that carries that worth: it is the analysis behind it, in addition to a provide chain that have to be completely “inexperienced”, licensed at each step – from sourcing to the emissions of your entire life cycle – that are monitored by the FIA. Enhancing gas high quality means, for instance, having the ability to get hold of the identical power with a barely decrease mass, decreasing the quantity of gas that must be carried on board.
That is actually a bonus to not be missed in an period the place, at the very least initially, many groups will likely be well above the minimum weight.
We need to hear from you!
Tell us what you wish to see from us sooner or later.
– The Autosport.com Crew
