Road Fuel vs. Racing Fuel: F1 Comparison

PaulZ370 · 08-02-2011, 09:34 PM

I work for a major Oil Company (ok, once you read the Article it will be apparent to you which- Not BP) and I found this article on our internal website - no secrets or anything, just food for thought.

DISCLAIMER: I am not advocating nor promoting any brand name, this is information that could possibly apply to all Premium fuels no matter which Oil Company's flag it is found under

Note: Lap time for the Racing Fuel is listed at the beginning of the Article. They leave you hanging till towards the end when they reveal the Lap time on Road Fuel. You can judge the result then...

Here is the article:

Can a Formula One car run on road car fuel?
02-Aug-2011
What happens if you fill up an F1 car with Shell V-Power from the forecourt? Scuderia Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso found out, and he was pretty surprised at the result.
________________________________________

Shell’s technical partnership with Ferrari is one of the longest and strongest in the Formula One paddock with over 60 years of innovation and shared passion for performance. The technical partnership is key to developing better road fuels for our customers – from track to road.

In fact, the FIA regulations stipulate that Formula One race fuels must be composed of compounds normally found in commercial fuels, meaning that Shell V-Power race fuel and Shell V-Power road fuel are by definition very similar.

Despite that, many customers on Shell forecourts around the world may not be aware of just how closely the Shell V-Power formulation they put in their cars actually matches the one powering Scuderia Ferrari cars in Formula One.

Cara Tredget, Shell Technology Manager for Ferrari, says, “One of the things I always get asked is, ‘How similar is the Shell V-Power racing fuel that we deliver to Ferrari to that of the Shell V-Power Unleaded fuel that everyday motorists use?’

“We decided to answer that question by fuelling the 2009 F1 Ferrari car with Shell V-Power road fuel from a Shell service station in order to show that it’s really very similar to the racing fuel that we provide Scuderia Ferrari.”

To demonstrate it, Fernando Alonso, official Scuderia Ferrari driver was invited to post a lap time of Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in Maranello, using Shell V-Power road fuel in his Formula One car. The run also was filmed by the BBC.

Having driven four intense laps of Fiorano using his familiar Shell V-Power race fuel, setting a fastest lap time of 1:03.950, Fernando then returned to experience how the Shell V-Power road fuel fared with the extreme demands of his 2009 F1 Ferrari race car. He was somewhat surprised by the results, saying: “The Shell V-Power road fuel felt just as quick as the Formula One fuel.”

What supported his observation was the fact that the road fuel, formulated with unique Shell technology, actually managed to produce a higher top speed at the end of the straight when compared to Shell V-Power race fuel. The race fuel pulled off a noticeably better performance.

Fernando was still clearly delighted with the results, saying, “I think it’s very exciting to be able to stop in the service station and know that you are refuelling with the same kind of fuel that the Ferrari cars are using in Formula One,” he said. “It’s really great that through using Shell V-Power fuel, people can be very happy and content that they are putting a very special fuel in their cars.”

With Fernando’s lap time on Shell V-Power road fuel registering at 1:04.850 in the telemetry readings, the difference between the two fuels was only nine tenths of a second.

On the close outcome, Cara says, “I think the fact that the results were roughly within a second per lap of each other is an absolutely fantastic result, and a real testimony to how incredible the Shell V-Power road fuel is.”

The technical partnership with Scuderia Ferrari gives Shell an extreme, yet controlled, test environment in which to develop advanced fuels and lubricants for road users. Each year, Shell invests more than 21,000 working hours in a partnership that’s seen Ferrari achieve 10 Formula One Constructors’ World Championships and 12 Formula One Drivers’ World Championship titles.

b1adesofcha0s · 08-02-2011, 09:43 PM

That's pretty cool!

TreeSemdyZee · 08-02-2011, 10:21 PM

Sorry, but this reads like a marketing department's wet dream. There is no way , with the extremely high compression in an F1 engine that the V-power fuel will run a worth a crap in an F1 car.

Did you notice that nothing was said about draining the car of race fuel before putting in the V power fuel?

Sorry. I don't buy it. No objectivity whatsoever. It's amazing what stats will be derived and what statements will be made when you're receiving a paycheck.

"The technical partnership with Scuderia Ferrari gives Shell..." says it all.

Red__Zed · 08-02-2011, 10:38 PM

I know nothing about F1 cars, but find it hard to believe they could run on pump gas...

happytheman · 08-02-2011, 10:42 PM

Yeah, ummmmmm.....

Independent, unbiased and objective testing required to un-mire this muckety-muck!

. Maybe then I will be inclined to believe it. I'm not saying it can't happen..I'm just saying that all parties involved had an obvious agenda.

Red__Zed · 08-02-2011, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

I know nothing about F1 cars, but find it hard to believe they could run on pump gas...

I appear to be wrong. Apparently F1 cars have to run on something very close to pump gas. Learn something new everyday.

TreeSemdyZee · 08-02-2011, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

I know nothing about F1 cars, but find it hard to believe they could run on pump gas...

2.4 liter V8, 800 HP, 18,000 rpm. 'nuff said.

Red__Zed · 08-02-2011, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeSemdyZee

2.4 liter V8, 800 HP, 18,000 rpm. 'nuff said.

From wikipedia:

Quote:

The fuel used in F1 cars is fairly similar to ordinary petrol, albeit with a far more tightly controlled mix. Formula One fuel can only contain compounds that are found in commercial gasoline, in contrast to alcohol-based fuels used in American open-wheel racing. Blends are tuned for maximum performance in given weather conditions or different circuits. During the period when teams were limited to a specific volume of fuel during a race, exotic high-density fuel blends were used which were actually heavier than water, since the energy content of a fuel depends on its mass density.

To make sure that the teams and fuel suppliers are not violating the fuel regulations, the FIA requires Elf, Shell, Mobil, Petronas and the other fuel teams to submit a sample of the fuel they are providing for a race. At any time, FIA inspectors can request a sample from the fueling rig to compare the "fingerprint" of what is in the car during the race with what was submitted. The teams usually abide by this rule, but in 1997, Mika Häkkinen was stripped of his third place finish at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium after the FIA determined that his fuel was not the correct formula, as well as in 1976, both McLaren and Penske cars were forced to the rear of the Italian Grand Prix after octane number of the mixture was found to be too high.

b1adesofcha0s · 08-02-2011, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

From wikipedia:

Red__Zed · 08-02-2011, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1adesofcha0s

mind==blown

cossie1600 · 08-02-2011, 11:51 PM

uh huh. that's why they always charge 10 cents more at the pump per gallon!

vivid2012 · 08-03-2011, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

uh huh. that's why they always charge 10 cents more at the pump per gallon!

Yup, that's might be the reason.

Rooskey · 08-03-2011, 02:28 AM

America and fuel... talking about one laying down like a Bitc$h.. Google obama and pacific offshore perks, lol..

roplusbee · 08-03-2011, 03:02 AM

Interesting stuff.....

definitionxmk · 08-03-2011, 04:56 AM

cool story, bro!

08-02-2011, 09:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
PaulZ370 Track Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Covington, LA Posts: 956 Drives: 011 370 BSM/T/SP/6MT Rep Power: 17	Road Fuel vs. Racing Fuel: F1 Comparison I work for a major Oil Company (ok, once you read the Article it will be apparent to you which- Not BP) and I found this article on our internal website - no secrets or anything, just food for thought. DISCLAIMER: I am not advocating nor promoting any brand name, this is information that could possibly apply to all Premium fuels no matter which Oil Company's flag it is found under Note: Lap time for the Racing Fuel is listed at the beginning of the Article. They leave you hanging till towards the end when they reveal the Lap time on Road Fuel. You can judge the result then... Here is the article: Can a Formula One car run on road car fuel? 02-Aug-2011 What happens if you fill up an F1 car with Shell V-Power from the forecourt? Scuderia Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso found out, and he was pretty surprised at the result. ________________________________________ Shell’s technical partnership with Ferrari is one of the longest and strongest in the Formula One paddock with over 60 years of innovation and shared passion for performance. The technical partnership is key to developing better road fuels for our customers – from track to road. In fact, the FIA regulations stipulate that Formula One race fuels must be composed of compounds normally found in commercial fuels, meaning that Shell V-Power race fuel and Shell V-Power road fuel are by definition very similar. Despite that, many customers on Shell forecourts around the world may not be aware of just how closely the Shell V-Power formulation they put in their cars actually matches the one powering Scuderia Ferrari cars in Formula One. Cara Tredget, Shell Technology Manager for Ferrari, says, “One of the things I always get asked is, ‘How similar is the Shell V-Power racing fuel that we deliver to Ferrari to that of the Shell V-Power Unleaded fuel that everyday motorists use?’ “We decided to answer that question by fuelling the 2009 F1 Ferrari car with Shell V-Power road fuel from a Shell service station in order to show that it’s really very similar to the racing fuel that we provide Scuderia Ferrari.” To demonstrate it, Fernando Alonso, official Scuderia Ferrari driver was invited to post a lap time of Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in Maranello, using Shell V-Power road fuel in his Formula One car. The run also was filmed by the BBC. Having driven four intense laps of Fiorano using his familiar Shell V-Power race fuel, setting a fastest lap time of 1:03.950, Fernando then returned to experience how the Shell V-Power road fuel fared with the extreme demands of his 2009 F1 Ferrari race car. He was somewhat surprised by the results, saying: “The Shell V-Power road fuel felt just as quick as the Formula One fuel.” What supported his observation was the fact that the road fuel, formulated with unique Shell technology, actually managed to produce a higher top speed at the end of the straight when compared to Shell V-Power race fuel. The race fuel pulled off a noticeably better performance. Fernando was still clearly delighted with the results, saying, “I think it’s very exciting to be able to stop in the service station and know that you are refuelling with the same kind of fuel that the Ferrari cars are using in Formula One,” he said. “It’s really great that through using Shell V-Power fuel, people can be very happy and content that they are putting a very special fuel in their cars.” With Fernando’s lap time on Shell V-Power road fuel registering at 1:04.850 in the telemetry readings, the difference between the two fuels was only nine tenths of a second. On the close outcome, Cara says, “I think the fact that the results were roughly within a second per lap of each other is an absolutely fantastic result, and a real testimony to how incredible the Shell V-Power road fuel is.” The technical partnership with Scuderia Ferrari gives Shell an extreme, yet controlled, test environment in which to develop advanced fuels and lubricants for road users. Each year, Shell invests more than 21,000 working hours in a partnership that’s seen Ferrari achieve 10 Formula One Constructors’ World Championships and 12 Formula One Drivers’ World Championship titles.

08-02-2011, 09:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
b1adesofcha0s A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: MD Posts: 40,963 Drives: HypeTrain Choo Choo! Rep Power: 142	That's pretty cool! __________________ Project: b1adeZmobile (2009 370Z) \| Uprev Tune by AAM Competition \| Berk Exhaust Project: b1adeZmobile 2.0 (2014 C7 Z51) \| Corsa Xtreme Exhaust

08-02-2011, 10:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
happytheman A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 10,737 Drives: MB 6M Tour/Sport Z34 Rep Power: 1823	Yeah, ummmmmm..... Independent, unbiased and objective testing required to un-mire this muckety-muck! . Maybe then I will be inclined to believe it. I'm not saying it can't happen..I'm just saying that all parties involved had an obvious agenda. __________________ --Brantly-- *PowderCoating by Mike/Stillen/PWJDM/Shine Auto/NST* GTR/Michelin /Fast Intentions/Evo-R/Mobil 1/Motul/Z1 https://facebook.com/CentralFloridaZClub

08-03-2011, 03:02 AM	#14 (permalink)
roplusbee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Killeen, TX Posts: 2,360 Drives: 2007 350Z NISMO Rep Power: 23	Interesting stuff..... __________________ 2007 350Z NISMO #0618: Zerolift \| UPREV \| F.I. \| Greddy \| Competition Clutch \| Injector Dynamics \| Aeromotive \| Pioneer \| JL

08-03-2011, 04:56 AM	#15 (permalink)
definitionxmk Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 973 Drives: Stage 2 SC 370Z Rep Power: 18	cool story, bro! __________________ *FALKEN . AMUSE . STANCE . INVIDIA . MINES . TOMMY KAIRA . BRIDE . VOLK RACING . GTM* Featured in DSPORT issue #137 - Follow me on Instagram: @definitionxmk

08-02-2011, 10:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 61 Posts: 4,887 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27409	Sorry, but this reads like a marketing department's wet dream. There is no way , with the extremely high compression in an F1 engine that the V-power fuel will run a worth a crap in an F1 car. Did you notice that nothing was said about draining the car of race fuel before putting in the V power fuel? Sorry. I don't buy it. No objectivity whatsoever. It's amazing what stats will be derived and what statements will be made when you're receiving a paycheck. "The technical partnership with Scuderia Ferrari gives Shell..." says it all.

08-02-2011, 10:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 121	I know nothing about F1 cars, but find it hard to believe they could run on pump gas...

08-02-2011, 11:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 31	uh huh. that's why they always charge 10 cents more at the pump per gallon!

08-03-2011, 02:28 AM	#13 (permalink)
Rooskey Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Carolina Posts: 974 Drives: 2014 Alpha7 GTR Rep Power: 17	America and fuel... talking about one laying down like a Bitc$h.. Google obama and pacific offshore perks, lol..

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