Petrobras in the F1
Fullproof technology
Formula-1 teams do a lot of research to maximize the performance of each component and its interaction in the car. Besides aerodynamics, gearboxes, suspension and engines, other alternatives are studied to improve the car's performance. The design of new tires and fuels can also mean gaining some precious tenths of seconds.
Many rules have been adopted to restrain the power of the vehicles and increase safety. The changes include some fuel restrictions, and today they are very similar to fuels sold in gas stations all over the world.
Tests are performed in partnership with the engine manufacturer in order for the engine-fuel binomial to give its best. This process involves power and durability tests on the track and dynamometer.
Formula 1 gasoline
One of the prime Formula 1 fuel requirements is for it to gain as much power as possible from the engine. It would be easy if there were no restrictions. The International Sports Car Federation (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile-FIA) restrictions include the octane count, oxygen and nitrogen content and density. Gasoline cannot contain compounds that are not found in commercial gasoline. These requirements are based on European Parliament decisions for commercial gasoline produced since 2000.
With such restrictions, everything indicated that there would be a drop in engine power. However, with the diversity of raw materials in the Brazilian refining sector, and the development of mathematical models for predicting the power and end characteristic of the gasoline, a fuel can be prepared to increase the power in cars.
Specifications
By the end of the 1970s, regulations provided for the use of high-octane gasoline, on sale in France, Italy, Germany and England. Gasoline with RON 101 available at European gas stations was used, with tolerance of up to RON 102. When this kind of gasoline was no longer for sale, the team suppliers were allowed to prepare special fuels for the category. They, therefore, became more elaborate and differed widely from commercial gasoline.
At the end of the 1980s the RON 102 restraint continued, and restrictions were now applied to oxygen and nitrogen content (2% in both cases). As time went by, new restraints were established and others, such as steam pressure, density, benzene and lead content, were added. In 1992, FIA decided that it could be illegal for a substance found in Formula 1 fuel to be missing from commercial gasoline.
Today for Formula 1, FIA adopts the same guidelines adopted by the European Parliament for commercial gasoline in Europe.
Development of gasoline
Production begins for the purpose of obtaining as much power as possible from the engine without jeopardizing durability and with focus on fuel consumption. The first stage covers the use of a computer forecast model, in which a database is fed with more than a hundred raw materials to obtain experimental gasoline. This mathematical model was designed using the Formula 1 engine response to different kinds of fuel and all physicochemical properties of the raw materials.
By using national petroleum and a number of processing units in the 11 Petrobras refineries, a wide range of raw materials was obtained with potential for creating a Formula 1 gasoline. And a plant for selective cuts in currents was installed in the shale plant (SIX) in São Mateus do Sul, Paraná.
The second stage involves preparing small batches of different kinds of experimental gasoline and testing them in a laboratory to confirm that they meet the specification restrictions, and then are tested in an engine and the power and consumption levels checked. Next, tests are performed on engines installed in Petrobras and at the engine supplier to identify the fuels with more likelihood of success in the tests to be carried out on the team's V10 engines.
In the next stage, durability tests are performed on a dynamometer and on the track. Once the gasoline composition has been decided, the raw materials are sent to Cenpes where the final mix is prepared. After carrying out several studies, a sample is sent to the FIA laboratory in England for approval. After approval is given, the gasoline is placed in drums for use in trials and races, and forwarded sent in large amounts to the engine supplier.
Normally a new batch is prepared every 90 days, and around 200,000 liters of fuel are produced for development and use in trials and races.
Conclusions
Developing gasoline for Formula 1 requires many tests and adopting advanced technologies. There is practically no literature on the subject. Each company keeps its developments confidential. The new technologies developed and applied for developing Formula 1 gasoline are immediately adopted for commercial gasoline also, and all know-how acquired during this process has an influence on fuels to be used commercially in the near future.