Biofuel in F1 Cars 2022: New Target Explained

Environmental protection is a priority for the FIA today. According to reports, Formula 1 is set to unveil a groundbreaking revolution in 2022 in order to demonstrate its mastery to the whole racing world. It sets a very ambitious goal – the development of the fuel of the future! F1 becomes a pioneer in development! Changing the eco-priorities – that means changing the rules as well as the Formula 1 cars for 2022. F1 biofuel, what is it like, and how are the F1 2022 cars on it? Let’s find out.

After the presentation of the true-to-scale model of the car at the 2021 British Grand Prix, there are more questions than answers. Here are the first points that changed the game.

Formula 1 2022 season

The global car fleet will reach 1.8 billion cars, and only 8% of them will be powered by electricity by 2030. Formula 1, for its part, aims to become carbon neutral by 2030, and the switch to a new fuel will be a fundamental step, if not a “green” breakthrough.

What is F1 biofuel?

As Chief Technical Officer Pat Symonds explains that there are three generations of biofuels.

First generation being “largely made from food stocks” – crops grown specifically for fuel, but this was unsustainable and raised ethical questions.

Second-generation uses either food waste, maize husks for example, or biomass, for example forest waste, or even household waste.

Third-generation biofuels, sometimes referred to as e-fuels or synthetic fuels are the more advanced fuels.

Towards the basic eco-objectives.

E10 fuel that meets stricter environmental standards and is 100% renewable – a unique scientific development based on the use of organic waste, which reduces harmful emissions, increases efficiency and maintains engine performance at the same level.

The entries will begin in 2022, it will be kind of “cocktail” consisting of 90% normal gasoline and 10% ethanol. In theory, internal combustion engines do not have to go through complicated modifications, but that is only provided for in the plans. In fact F1 teams and engineers will have to work several times more than usual.

Do F1 engines change in 2022?

Definitely not, F1 engine in 2022 will be the same. The current 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid engines that are already the most advanced and efficient in the world. The fuel system will receive some additional standard components as well as additional sensors to enable the FIA to better monitor the units. Generally, the design of the units will be homologated at the beginning of the season and frozen until at least 2025.

Formula 1 cars 2022: what has changed?

Even if the engine in F1 car 2022 doesn’t change, its appearance and other technical features do. However, the most significant changes to F1 cars in 2022 will be primarily aesthetic, as the main task will be to reduce downforce loss.

#1. Passionately designed to guarantee the best races.

Official research shows that current F1 cars lose 35% of their downforce when machines lose 35% of their downforce when running three car lengths behind a leading car and while closing up to one car length (around 10 metres) results in a 47% loss. Formula 1 has been preparing for the 2022 season for a long time. Due to the high load of the aerodynamic phenomenon known as the “ground effect.” New F1 car has reduced these values to 4% at 20 meters.

#2. Trendy winglets

Since the main goal is to reduce downforce, Formula 1 cars get special supra-wings. Including the latter is simple: sending airflow through the wheels could be an enormously potent way for teams to increase downforce, but it also contributes to the chaotic aerodynamic wake-up call that comes from the cars.

It’s impossible to imagine whether this “device” looks good or bad or ugly, because each Formula 1 team will propose theirs own design. However, we won’t know how it works until the racing.

#3. 18-inch wheels

This is a completely new trend, but racing fans have already seen footage of teams testing larger 18-inch rims for next year. Pirelli designed wheels to reduce tire overheating when sliding – a primary aspect that should help in tight races.

Another major benefit is the reduction of sidewall deflection and the resulting aerodynamic wake-up effect. Teams put a lot of effort into simulating the air flow regimes around the tire shapes and interactions with the body. Reducing sensitivity in this area is beneficial both in the design process and in the resources required.

#4. Updated front wings and nose.

With the naked eye, you can see that the design has become more ergonomic. The main task of the new front wing is to both produce smooth downforce when driving close behind another car, and to ensure that the front wheel is well controlled and steered down in the least annoying way.

 F1 cars 2022: slow or faster?

There is still no clear opinion. Formula 1 2022 car will lose the top speed for four seconds, as expected, but will be faster in the medium to fast corners due to downforce. Thus, F1 cars 2022 will be slower on the straight but faster in the corners. After the switch to F1 biofuel and additional aerodynamic changes, however, F1 car will drive the same speed.

F1 2022 biofuel – pros and cons

The transition to the F1 biofuel is a global goal, the scope is somewhat daunting. The fact is that Formula 1 has chosen one of the most difficult paths.

Pros.

With the successful implementation of the plan, it will be a real breakthrough. What comes out of it will significantly change and make an enormous contribution to saving the environment.

Cons.

The main disadvantage of such a step is the introduction of absolutely new technology. Synthetic fuel is a plan, but in fact it will require not only much, but too much. How do you get a lot of fuel that has not yet been invented? How do you start producing E10 F1 biofuel 2022 where it has never been produced before? These are the biggest disadvantages, but far from the last.

The trial-and-error method is the way Formula 1 is going to go. Trying and making mistakes – that’s the role that f1 teams are going to play. According to the scale of the error, it costs a lot of money. Thus, some of the current teams, like Haas F1, are fully focusing on 2022.

Investing a lot of money in the future, however, is one thing – trying to work, adjusting the settings of the F1 car and working again is the third. Moreover, it is necessary to take into account the conditions for such experiments. It is about the current state of the global crisis after the pandemic. In short, too complicated and too expensive.

What do the bosses of Mercedes and Red Bull think about biofuel in F1?

The bosses of the leading teams, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff – also spoke out on the issue. They are both would support a delay in the increased use of biofuels in Formula 1. Toto Wolff is “actually pretty neutral whether they use E10 or not”. He believes that it is “only a small step.” While Horner feels that adding another development factor would only complicate the engine freeze.

“My preference would be probably not to do the E10 fuel,”

“It’s a development direct requirement for 2022, and [we’d prefer to] just bring in a completely sustainable core fuel with a new engine [instead of] going another 5% on the E10 for the current fuel.

“There will be consequences to introducing that fuel and that consequence obviously is inevitably costly.”

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner to Autosport

Why not simply switch to “all-electric” mode?

Although it is not so simple on this issue. The cars are moving more and more towards electric drive. Same time more than 90% of cars worldwide are still powered by ICEs with internal combustion engines. In solving the global eco problem Formula 1 came with more interesting opportunities.

“When the next engine comes, we have a chance to develop a real game changer where you cut fuel and engine together, and that really leads to some much more interesting possibilities.”

Formula 1 Chief Technical Officer Pat Symonds

Pat Symonds’ main message is that there are alternatives to electric power with more profitable opportunities for motorsport. This way includes more interesting options for Formula 1 as a sport and as the founder of advanced technology.

Environmental protection is a problem around the world, great news that Formula 1 decided to take on one of the main roles. F1 calendar 2022 has already published and there are disputes about biofuels and just as long as we will see synthetic fuel in action.