Fueling The Formula 1 "Car"

Despite the current economic turmoil, recent triple digits in oil prices, financial insecurity spreaded all over the globe and taking its' tolls across the very wide range of business, there are still some seem to having a lot of fun.

Let's have a look what it takes to satisfy enormous thirst of the F1 racing monopost during the race through the whole year. Please bear in mind that this calculation is based on rough estimation of gasoline consumption in the day of race only and can vary on very specific and different racing conditions, like weather, altitude, number of corners, safety car involvement or drivers retirement from the race etc. These all and much more can have significant effect on gasoline consumption during the race.

In current Formula One race car, fuel consumption can reach 180-220 litres in a 300 km race distance. Having an average lenght of 60 laps, we are looking at 3.3L of gas per lap or approximately 66L/100km consumtion per one car. Hm.

Now, with 17 races in formula one calendar we are looking at 3400L of gasoline to be injected into one car. Provided that all 21 cars on the starting grip will make it through the whole race and we are getting outstanding number of 71400L of gasoline. This excessive need of fuel requires supply of 1015 barrels of oil.

Again, let me remind you that this amount of fuel is covering the consumption of gasoline for the days of race only, sunday, excluding practice and qualifying sessions during the whole racing weekends, speak nothing of testing during the year. Feel free to do the math :).

In addition, there is 200 litres of engine oil, 180 litres of gearbox oil, 80 litres of hydraulic fluid, 20 litres of coolant and several kilos of grease also needed to get this thing running in the right pace during the whole season.

"Money,money, money.....must be funny.....( whatever the economy)......in the rich man's world"