In Formula One, sustainable fuel is carbon-neutral and meant to take the place of old-fashioned fossil fuels, without sacrificing performance.

Starting in 2026, all Formula 1 cars will use only sustainable fuel. This is a huge tech change for the sport.

In short:

F1's sustainable fuel matches petrol's power and speed, but doesn't add carbon to the atmosphere.

What Does “Sustainable Fuel” Mean in F1 Terms?

For sustainable fuel to be used in Formula 1, it needs to meet three key requirements:

F1 fuel isn't just mixed with ethanol or partly biofuel. It's completely synthetic or made from advanced bio-sources, built to handle extreme conditions and deliver top-notch performance.

How Sustainable F1 Fuel Is Made

F1 sustainable fuel usually comes from e-fuel, which is a type of synthetic fuel.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Carbon Capture
   CO₂ can be collected either from the air or from factories.

2. Green Hydrogen Production
   Renewable electricity can be used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis.

3. Fuel Synthesis
   CO₂ and hydrogen can be mixed to make fuel.

4. Refinement
   To meet Formula 1's standards for burning and power, fuel goes through a refining process.

It works like regular gas, but doesn't increase carbon in the air.

Is Sustainable Fuel the Same as Biofuel?

Nope.

In F1, teams can choose various routes to reach sustainability, provided their fuel is carbon neutral.

Why F1 Is Switching to Sustainable Fuel

F1 is aiming to hit net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, and sustainable fuels are a key part of their plan.

Key Reasons

• Lower our carbon footprint.

• Keep traditional engines in the game.

• Bring racing tech to everyday cars.

• Steer clear of going fully electric, like Formula E did.

F1 is trying to show that standard engines can be good for the environment, which is a different approach from electric racing.

Does Sustainable Fuel Reduce Performance?

No.

F1 teams have actually said that:

• Same power as before.

• Better engine fuel burn.

• Cleaner, easier-to-control burn.

F1 aims for a level playing field in performance, not a watered-down experience.

Sustainable Fuel vs Electric Racing

F1's plan focuses on the cars we have now, not just electric vehicles of the future.

Sustainable Fuel in the 2026 F1 Regulations

Starting in 2026:

Internal combustion engines are still key, but they're much cleaner now.

Who Is Developing F1 Sustainable Fuel?

Our main fuel partners are really involved.

• Shell

• Aramco

• Petronas

• ExxonMobil

• BP / Castrol

These companies are testing out future fuels in the fast-paced world of F1.

Real-World Impact Beyond F1

Sustainable fuel is key because:

• More than 1.4 billion cars still run on gas engines.

• Electric car use isn't consistent across the world.

• It takes a long time to change infrastructure.

F1 research is helping develop fuels for:

• Cars

• Air travel

• Ship transport

• Big factories

Common Misconceptions

“Sustainable fuel is just ethanol”
No. F1 fuel is far more advanced.

“It’s greenwashing”
F1 fuel's carbon neutrality is checked through chemical analysis.

“Electric is always better”
This isn't meant for big infrastructure projects or moving heavy stuff.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is F1 already using sustainable fuel?

   That's right. Formula 1 cars use E10 fuel now, and the plan is to switch to fully sustainable fuel by 2026.

   
   

2. Will F1 engines sound different?

   The engine sound is still mostly the same. No big changes there.

   
   

3. Can sustainable fuel be used in normal cars?

   That's what we're aiming for in the long run.

Final Answer

Sustainable fuel in F1 is a carbon-neutral, high-performance fuel. It's created using captured CO₂ and renewable energy. This lets Formula 1 keep its powerful engines while seriously cutting down on environmental impact.

Starting in 2026, every F1 car will use only sustainable fuel. This change positions F1 as a frontrunner in sustainable combustion tech around the world.