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Motoring News Desk
Ferrari launched the new F10 and with the new fuel rules of the FIA and the tightly controlled and highly regulated component of life in the Formula One paddock. Although regularly considered in its role in pit stop strategy, this year Shell faces perhaps the biggest challenge in its Formula One fuel formulation in 15 years. The Fédération Internationale de l’ Automobile’s (FIA) change in fuel regulations for the 2010 season has been two-fold. Refuelling during the race will no longer be allowed, so Shell V-Power race fuel will power Ferrari around the entire length of all 19 Grand Prix races with no refuelling during pit-stops. In addition, the FIA has widened the specifications for fuel formulation development, giving Shell two exciting opportunities for the season ahead.
With the rule changes come challenges to balance the need for constant high performance from Shell V-Power race fuel with tackling increased fuel temperatures and the vital need for each driver to conserve enough fuel to simply finish the race. Shell has worked alongside Scuderia Ferrari to develop the best possible Shell V-Power formulation in preparation for the new regulations and will continue development throughout the season to maintain optimum performance.
Mike Evans, Shell Formula One Fuels Development Project Leader explains, “For 2010, we've got the new fuel regulations; the formulation space for the fuel has been enlarged and we've got the change in refuelling rules. We really need to get the performance out of the car to make sure Scuderia Ferrari make the end of the race, and to make sure there's no problem with the fuel temperature since we can no longer have the benefit of adding slightly cooler fuel during a pit-stop. We've got some exciting challenges ahead for the sport, and we've been working hard for that.”
Evans continues, “Engines, performance-wise, are tuned to run a rich, heavy type of fuel but you can then run them on a slightly leaner formulation, which will give you a small drop in performance but it will also give you better fuel efficiency. It's getting that balance right. We can alter the mix of components in the fuel to enable the engines to run leaner but still give optimum performance, and that's an area we've been working hard on for the last nine months leading up to the 2010 season, given the latest FIA rule changes.” images from Ferrari press office
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