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Fuel consumption higher than expected

Published on 11 Mar 2017 17:58
5
By: Fergal Walsh

With the introduction of the new regulations, cars have been allowed to use 5kg of more fuel. However, teams are wondering whether or not this will be enough, as consumption from the vehicles is higher than expected.

Last year, teams ran with 100kg (135 litres) of fuel during a race, which this year has been increased to 105kg (142 litres). Engineers have established that these changes will be very tight, especially in the opening two rounds in Australia and Bahrain.

The first part of the season could see some major fuel saving according to some experts, with races hosted along a coastline or at a high altitude meaning extra fuel consumption.

Auto Motor und Sport made the calculation that with the introduction of more downforce, the cars have 10 percent more air resistance. On the straight, the cars are around 20 km/h slower, but they do go longer on full throttle. This itself will result in a higher fuel consumption.

Because the drivers have fewer problems with the declining quality of the tyres, they can produce more aggressive driving but they are hindered by the fuel. The teams that can efficiently manage their fuel this season will have an advantage over their rivals.

Fergal Walsh

F1 News

Replies (5)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Of all the things I wanted gone, fuel saving was admittedly pretty high up on the list. I expect Mercedes to benefit from this, since they never really had any problems with fuel efficiency. I also think teams with units from Renault or Honda will have a harder time, since Renault is apparently still struggling with their ERS, and Honda's ICE was far from efficient last season.
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- Mar 11 2017 - 18:34
- mclarenfan1968
  
  Posts: 1,027
  You are forgetting the number of races where Merc have to lift and coast to save fuel. They looked good only up-till the point they could just run off into the distance and manage the pace from the lead but when they were being pushed and pursued they ran into fuel issues very often. Another matter affecting them being high fuel consumption when following other cars, because dirt air is never good for ensuring high combustion efficiency.
  + 0
  
  Mar 12 2017 - 08:24
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  No, I didnt forget it. Yeah, they had to lift and cost in a few races, though it never affected them too much, because at that stage they were almost always so far away they might aswell do NASA a favour and discover some new solar system. They never really had the issues with coasting that other teams had, and most importantly they never truly suffered from them.
  + 0
  
  Mar 12 2017 - 11:14
- mclarenfan1968
  
  Posts: 1,027
  I know for sure Wolff is from the star system Trolotopia
  + 0
  
  Mar 12 2017 - 12:06
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Might explain where they got a few of their latest production car concepts from.
  + 0
  
  Mar 12 2017 - 12:12