Fuel Blend Calculator - Accessible Version

• Introduction
• Australia
• Italy
• Malaysia
• Monaco

• Return to flash version.

Introduction

What is a fuel blend

Just as a suit can be bought from a shop, for the very best fit, people visit a tailor to modify a pattern to fit their shape perfectly. The same is true of an engine. A Formula One engine will run on most standard pump fuels but for the best results, Shell can tailor its fuel to perfectly suit the appetite of the Ferrari engine at various tracks.

In the following pages you can begin to understand exactly what it takes to blend a fuel for a particular circuit. By adjusting the levels of each of the main refinery streams, you will be able to alter the performance of the fuel. You will not be completely alone however - on each page, Shell scientists will guide you and give you a good idea of what to be looking for! See if you have got what it takes to blend a championship-winning fuel!

Lisa Lilley - As Shell's Technology Manager for Ferrari, Lisa oversees the Shell technical partnership with Ferrari ensuring that the Shell and Ferrari development programmes are fully integrated and move forward seamlessly.

Stefano Domenicali - Stefano joined Ferrari immediately after graduating in 1991. He moved to the racing team's financial department while also working on the evelopment of the Mugello race track. Appointed as Head of the Personnel Department of Ferrari's Gestione Sportiva, in December 1996 he then became Team Manager and later - Sporting Director. He has now been appointed as Director of the Gestione Sportiva.

^ Back to Top

Australia

The five sliders below represent the five main groups of refinery streams in an unleaded Formula One fuel ­ although in a genuine fuel, there can be as many as 250 of these variables. Refinery streams can be generally grouped into five major categories, according to their chemical composition, ranging from light to heavy. Light streams generally have lower boiling temperature to the higher end streams and will have different burning properties. Blending them correctly will alter the properties of the fuel­ something that can be a major strategic weapon in modern day Formula One.

By adjusting the level of each 'stream', the final blend of fuel will change. Used correctly, this process can optimize each fuel for a different style of circuit but the trick is to stay within the maximum and minimum limits set by the FIA. The sliders here are pre-set to show the optimum blend for Albert Park in Melbourne. Study the characteristics of each slider and then click on a circuit above to try for yourself.

Australia: "Melbourne is a typical high-medium speed circuit. Most of the corners are second or third gear, putting a fair emphasis on pick-up and drivability as the driver will need to accelerate out of the corners quickly and smoothly. The fuel for this track however has to be able generate power at maximum revs too as with three very fast straights, every metre gained is vital"

^ Back to Top

Italy

Help from the experts

"Such a fast circuit with such long straight asks for all the power the engine has got. The ideal fuel is the blend that will give the engine the most power possible - but don't forget the fuel economy is still important over such a fast lap."

^ Back to Top

Malaysia

Help from the experts

"Have a look at the map and think about how a car is going to perform over a lap ­try this one on your own. Think about the temperature in Malaysia too, that will help."

^ Back to Top

Monaco

Help from the experts

With the slowest average speed of any race in the calendar, Monaco is all about 'driveability'. Being able to get the engine power out smoothly as well as keeping an eye on fuel economy is the key to a good fuel in the principality."

Back to Top