The alarm had already been raised by Honda in recent days: the introduction of E10 fuels starting this year will represent a decidedly demanding challenge for the manufacturers present in Formula 1.
The new gasolines will be composed of 90% fossil fuel and 10% ethanol, and the departments responsible for the design and development of the power units are working closely with their respective fuel suppliers to try to remedy the critical issues that have emerged.
Mercedes is also studying all the best possible solutions to allow the engines of the Star to remain at the top in the highest category. This was confirmed by Hywel Thomas, head of Mercedes engines, in a video recently shared by the eight-time world champion team.
“Like every year, the partnership between us and Petronas is aimed at obtaining maximum performance. The change that will come into effect this season, with the introduction of E10 fuels, is probably the most important since 2014 ”.
George Russell, Mercedes W10
Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
“Developing this type of fuel has been a major undertaking and the large amount of work that has gone into it should not be underestimated.”
Yasauki Asagi, head of Honda development, in recent days had shown skepticism about the possibility that, at least initially, the 2022 power units would have had the same power as those used up to last year.
Thomas did not want to focus attention on this topic, but instead preferred to talk about another less known aspect to enthusiasts: the fact that the ethanol present in gasoline must be sustainable.
“Throughout the hybrid era there have always been bio components in fuels. In the past, the required requirement was 5.75% by volume of organic components “.
“This year’s change has raised this percentage to 10% and ethanol must also be used. In doing so, the engine will react slightly differently than before ”.
“There are some areas we are really happy with, while others where, in all honesty, we are definitely less.”
“What we can do is change the fuel where we can and work on the power unit hardware as far as possible to maximize the effects of the positives and minimize the negatives.”
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