Whereas the headline adjustments within the energy unit laws for the brand new Components 1 period in 2026 centre across the mixture of energy between inside combustion and electrical deployment, the way in which the FIA measures, controls, and interprets the gas that reaches the engine by means of the move meter is shifting too.
The twin verification system required a profound evolution, given the transfer to 100% sustainable fuels. As we defined in our first have a look at the brand new gas move regime, the reference parameter will stay in kg/h (ie the mass move fee of the gas), however from this season that worth will likely be transformed instantly by the Engine Management Unit into an power move fee, utilizing the power density and calorific worth of every gas, licensed by an unbiased physique earlier than the automobile takes to the monitor.
General, the ultimate worth should not exceed 3000 MJ/h, decided by means of formulation that bear in mind engine velocity, load, and the working circumstances of the ability unit. In essence, this can be a true paradigm shift: the main target strikes from the amount of gas by way of mass to its power content material. And that is additionally why technological analysis requires ever larger sources.
The 2026 move meters from Allengra
Photograph by: Allengra
Supplies have to be rethought to be suitable with e-fuels
The chemical composition of the brand new e-fuels is completely different from standard ‘dinosaur juice’ and much more complicated than it might 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 compelled each producers and the corporate producing the move meters to adapt to the traits of the brand new fuels.
Allengra, the corporate that received the tender to provide the brand new homologated gas move meter, confronted two foremost challenges in creating a strong answer to the extra aggressive chemistry of the brand new gas: for the reason that unit is put in throughout the gas tank, the liquid surrounds it in addition to flowing by means of it.
“For instance, there may be the problem of the connector,” explains co-CEO Niels Junker, talking solely to Motorsport.com.
“The move meter is put in within the tank, so gas doesn’t solely move by means of the sensor – there may be additionally gas on the surface of the sensor. Because of this, it is necessary to work with supplies which can be actually proof against e-fuels, and this can be a enormous distinction, as a result of in the present day being suitable with gas is comparatively easy.”
Ferrari SF-24 refuel element
Photograph by: Shell Motorsport
Enter from suppliers in addition to the FIA
Provided that the brand new laws 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 improvement. After session with the FIA and gas suppliers, the corporate made the outer casing of the move meter from chrome steel.
For a similar motive, the transducers contained in the move meter are additionally “protected” by a stainless-steel reinforcement. However that’s not all.
“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 absolutely leak-proof with e-fuels: it might be within the brief time period, nevertheless it would possibly not be after 5 or 10 races. It may well change, and that imposes a danger,” Junker provides.
“Even when speaking in regards to the wiring that runs from the move meter to the ECU, it isn’t thought of suitable with e-fuels, so it needs to be made airtight and suitable from the digital connector all the way in which to the wiring loom. We discovered an answer by sealing your entire within the connector, however the issue was additionally discovering the suitable connectors, as a result of those we used prior to now have been suitable with conventional gas, however not with e-fuels.
F1 2026 automobile renders
Photograph by: Liberty Media
“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.
“We have now to ensure equity for everybody, so we can not provide one thing that dangers breaking or not arriving on time.
“Finally, we discovered an answer to make the wiring fuel-tight, however on the identical time the groups additionally need to do their half to forestall any leaks, and actually they’ve launched particular high quality checks. Every group manages this side otherwise.
“With e-fuels, the groups ship us the gas and now we have to calibrate the sensor and perform the assessments utilizing that particular gas.”
Analysis into components opens up a brand new (and dear) discipline of improvement
The event of e-fuels has opened up a frontier that goes far past the straightforward alternative of conventional gasoline. It’s not about optimising an current product, however about constructing a wholly new gas, molecule by molecule. On this situation, alongside gas improvement itself, analysis into components is changing into one of many foremost arenas of competitors and innovation.
Petronas gas
Photograph by: Sutton Photographs
And it’s exactly right here that FIA laws introduce a vital 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 the very best properties are usually the non-sustainable ones.
The state of affairs is completely different for sustainable components. In the event that they’re licensed and traced alongside your entire provide chain, they don’t seem to be topic to the identical limits imposed on non-sustainable components. This is among the fronts on which suppliers’ analysis is focusing, as they work to develop superior, sustainable molecules able to enhancing 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 seek out the suitable mixture.
This can be a complicated job, as a result of each element should meet sustainability standards, have assured availability, and likewise be suitable 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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It is not simply the liquid itself that carries that worth: it is the analysis behind it, in addition to a provide chain that have to be fully “inexperienced,” licensed at each step – from sourcing to the emissions of your entire life cycle – that are monitored by the FIA. Bettering gas high quality means, for instance, having the ability to acquire the identical power with a barely decrease mass, lowering the quantity of gas that must be carried on board.
That is actually a bonus to not be ignored in an period the place, a minimum of initially, many groups will likely be nicely above the minimal weight.
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