Whereas the headline adjustments within the energy unit rules for the brand new Formulation 1 period in 2026 centre across the mixture of energy between inside combustion and electrical deployment, the best way the FIA measures, controls, and interprets the gas that reaches the engine by way of the circulation meter is shifting too.
The twin verification system required a profound evolution, given the transfer to 100% sustainable fuels. As we defined , the reference parameter will stay in kg/h (ie the mass circulation fee of the gas), however from this season that worth shall be transformed instantly by the Engine Management Unit into an vitality circulation fee, utilizing the vitality density and calorific worth of every gas, licensed by an unbiased physique earlier than the automotive takes to the monitor.
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General, the ultimate worth should not exceed 3000 MJ/h, decided by way of formulation that bear in mind engine pace, load, and the working situations of the ability unit. In essence, this can be a true paradigm shift: the main focus strikes from the amount of gas when it comes to mass to its vitality content material. And that is additionally why technological analysis requires ever larger sources.
The 2026 circulation meters from Allengra
The 2026 circulation meters from Allengra
Supplies should be rethought to be appropriate with e-fuels
The chemical composition of the brand new e-fuels is completely different from typical ‘dinosaur juice’ and much more complicated than it could seem, requiring in depth analysis to grasp which molecules can be utilized. Virtually talking, they’re extra aggressive in direction of {hardware}, an element that has pressured each producers and the corporate producing the circulation meters to adapt to the traits of the brand new fuels.
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Allengra, the corporate that gained the tender to supply the brand new homologated gas circulation meter, confronted two foremost challenges in growing a sturdy resolution to the extra aggressive chemistry of the brand new gas: because the unit is put in inside the gas tank, the liquid surrounds it in addition to flowing by way of it.
“For instance, there’s the difficulty of the connector,” explains co-CEO Niels Junker, talking completely to Motorsport.com.
“The circulation meter is put in within the tank, so gas doesn’t solely go by way of the sensor – there’s additionally gas on the skin of the sensor. For that reason, it is necessary to work with supplies which might be really proof against e-fuels, and this can be a big distinction, as a result of at present being appropriate with gas is comparatively easy.”
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Ferrari SF-24 refuel element
Ferrari SF-24 refuel element
Enter from suppliers in addition to the FIA
Provided that the brand new rules operate as a showcase for sustainable fuels in addition to a expertise incubator, it was necessary that supplies that might be in direct contact with the gas did not create a limiting issue for growth. After session with the FIA and gas suppliers, the corporate made the outer casing of the circulation meter from chrome steel.
For a similar motive, the transducers contained in the circulation meter are additionally “protected” by a stainless-steel reinforcement. However that’s not all.
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“We attempt to minimise the variety of O-rings or seals, as a result of in motorsport each cable and each seal is taken into account not totally leak-proof with e-fuels: it could be within the brief time period, however it would possibly now not be after 5 or 10 races. It could possibly change, and that imposes a danger,” Junker provides.
“Even when speaking in regards to the wiring that runs from the circulation meter to the ECU, it is not thought of appropriate with e-fuels, so it needs to be made airtight and appropriate from the digital connector all the best way to the wiring loom. We discovered an answer by sealing your complete inside the connector, however the issue was additionally discovering the proper connectors, as a result of those we used previously have been appropriate with conventional gas, however not with e-fuels.
F1 2026 automotive renders
F1 2026 automotive renders
“We subsequently needed to search for new suppliers. It is work that takes months. It is not nearly materials compatibility, but additionally about security concerns and supply occasions.
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“We now have to ensure equity for everybody, so we can not provide one thing that dangers breaking or not arriving on time.
“In the end, we discovered an answer to make the wiring fuel-tight, however on the identical time the groups additionally need to do their half to stop any leaks, and actually they’ve launched particular high quality checks. Every crew manages this facet in a different way.
“With e-fuels, the groups ship us the gas and we’ve to calibrate the sensor and perform the checks utilizing that particular gas.”
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Analysis into components opens up a brand new (and expensive) subject of growth
The event of e-fuels has opened up a frontier that goes far past the straightforward alternative of conventional gasoline. It’s now not about optimising an current product, however about constructing a wholly new gas, molecule by molecule. On this situation, alongside gas growth itself, analysis into components is turning into one of many foremost arenas of competitors and innovation.
Petronas gas
Petronas gas
And it’s exactly right here that FIA rules introduce an important distinction. Components derived from non-sustainable sources are permitted, however inside extraordinarily strict limits and provided that they fall into classes that don’t improperly alter combustion, thus avoiding disguised efficiency benefits. That is no small problem, as a result of the components with one of the best properties are usually the non-sustainable ones.
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The scenario is completely different for sustainable components. In the event that they’re licensed and traced alongside your complete provide chain, they are not topic to the identical limits imposed on non-sustainable components. This is likely one of the fronts on which suppliers’ analysis is focusing, as they work to develop superior, sustainable molecules able to bettering stability, resistance to knock, and combustion high quality.
It is no coincidence that suppliers additionally converse of as much as 1,000,000 simulations to search out the proper mixture.
It is a complicated job, as a result of each element should meet sustainability standards, have assured availability, and likewise be appropriate with supplies. Nonetheless, it is an space with monumental potential, on which suppliers have additionally sought partnerships with exterior corporations possessing superior experience in particular fields. That is additionally why prices are anticipated to exceed €250 per litre.
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Learn Additionally:
It is not simply the liquid itself that carries that worth: it is the analysis behind it, in addition to a provide chain that should be completely “inexperienced,” licensed at each step – from sourcing to the emissions of your complete life cycle – that are monitored by the FIA. Enhancing gas high quality means, for instance, having the ability to acquire the identical vitality with a barely decrease mass, decreasing the quantity of gas that must be carried on board.
That is definitely a bonus to not be neglected in an period the place, not less than initially, many groups shall be .
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