Fuel consumption higher than expected

  • Published on 11 Mar 2017 17:58
  • comments 5
  • By: Fergal Walsh

With the introduction of the new regulations, cars have been allowed to use 5kg of more fuel. However, teams are wondering whether or not this will be enough, as consumption from the vehicles is higher than expected.

Last year, teams ran with 100kg (135 litres) of fuel during a race, which this year has been increased to 105kg (142 litres). Engineers have established that these changes will be very tight, especially in the opening two rounds in Australia and Bahrain.

The first part of the season could see some major fuel saving according to some experts, with races hosted along a coastline or at a high altitude meaning extra fuel consumption.

Auto Motor und Sport made the calculation that with the introduction of more downforce, the cars have 10 percent more air resistance. On the straight, the cars are around 20 km/h slower, but they do go longer on full throttle. This itself will result in a higher fuel consumption.

Because the drivers have fewer problems with the declining quality of the tyres, they can produce more aggressive driving but they are hindered by the fuel. The teams that can efficiently manage their fuel this season will have an advantage over their rivals.

 

Fergal Walsh

 

Replies (5)

Login to reply
  • Of all the things I wanted gone, fuel saving was admittedly pretty high up on the list. I expect Mercedes to benefit from this, since they never really had any problems with fuel efficiency. I also think teams with units from Renault or Honda will have a harder time, since Renault is apparently still struggling with their ERS, and Honda's ICE was far from efficient last season.

    • + 0
    • Mar 11 2017 - 18:34
    • You are forgetting the number of races where Merc have to lift and coast to save fuel. They looked good only up-till the point they could just run off into the distance and manage the pace from the lead but when they were being pushed and pursued they ran into fuel issues very often. Another matter affecting them being high fuel consumption when following other cars, because dirt air is never good for ensuring high combustion efficiency.

      • + 0
      • Mar 12 2017 - 08:24
    • No, I didnt forget it. Yeah, they had to lift and cost in a few races, though it never affected them too much, because at that stage they were almost always so far away they might aswell do NASA a favour and discover some new solar system. They never really had the issues with coasting that other teams had, and most importantly they never truly suffered from them.

      • + 0
      • Mar 12 2017 - 11:14
    • I know for sure Wolff is from the star system Trolotopia

      • + 0
      • Mar 12 2017 - 12:06
    • Might explain where they got a few of their latest production car concepts from.

      • + 0
      • Mar 12 2017 - 12:12

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar