Fuel efficiency to become a factor in Formula One

[Mika]

Fuel economy is turning up in the most interesting places as I wonder around. Gizmag.com (http://www.gizmag.com/go/5979/) has an interesting piece on F1, engine development directions and “fuel economy” as a part of F1’s future. Leaves one to wonder what other forms of racing will look at fuel economy.

[MCMXCIVRS]

Of course the motivation isn't entirely saving money. Lower fuel consumption can mean a racing advantage through lower weight (less fuel carried) and longer times between pits. Of course its good to see the technology being developed there as it usuall ends up being applied to consumer products later on.

[bubbagazoo]

Audi's A2 has been discontinued before it even had a chance to come to North America. It seems that this little car goes 100 km on 3 litres of diesel (a rough estimate of 77 miles per US gallon or 94 miles per Imperial gallon). Unfortunately, it was too expensive to compete in any market. :brow

[The_Veg]

Yeah, that just totally figures about the A2...and I wouldn't be surprised if its' failure was intentional.

Back on topic, I seem to recall back in the 1980's F1 set limits to how much fuel each car had available per race, which of course is different from requiring MPG minimums. I have no idea whether or not the fuel quantity limits lasted, but I do recall something about it changing the refueling strategies of a few teams at the time.

[bubbagazoo]

Fuel economy is turning up in the most interesting places as I wonder around. Gizmag.com (http://www.gizmag.com/go/5979/) has an interesting piece on F1, engine development directions and “fuel economy” as a part of F1’s future. Leaves one to wonder what other forms of racing will look at fuel economy.

Whenever a front runner in a NASCAR race runs out of fuel, the fans of that/those drivers usually complain that fuel economy has no place in racing. I think that if the NASCAR teams actually had to pay for the fuel they used in the races (Sunoco provides it at no cost to the teams in return for being the official gasoline of NASCAR), you MIGHT see some teams try to produce a motor that can go fast and save fuel. However, the big teams with a ton of money would just go on doing what they do. Now, if NASCAR had fuel supply rules in addition to the tire rules that are in place for the Truck Series and the Busch Series (done to save the teams some cash), you would definitely see engines being built for economy.