Formula 1: Top 4 challenges of the new regulations

Formula 1 challenges: No. 3 – New E10 fuel compound

Under the guidance of improving overall sustainability in the sport and continually reducing the sport’s carbon footprint, Formula 1 has advanced their fuel to include 10% ethanol, a change completely unnoticeable until power units are put into race conditions.

Each team has had varying levels of success in implementing the new compound.

Ferrari have seemingly gone unchallenged by the regulation change, currently appearing to have the best power unit on the grid. Meanwhile, Mercedes have seemingly found themselves a step behind on their power unit while focusing on the new aerodynamic regulations, and Red Bull went through their own house of horrors in the final laps of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The new fuel compound failed to make major headlines in the Formula 1 community until the commencement of testing in Barcelona, when rumors had come out of Alpine saying that the Renault power unit did a poor job of adjusting to the mixture. Now with engines frozen until 2025, teams will only be able to make adjustments under the guise of “reliability” and “safety”.

Mercedes have been one of the worst to adjust, having shown out as the worst power unit on the grid with customer teams Williams, Aston Martin, and McLaren accounting for the final six cars to take the checkered flag. Now desperate to make gains in their straight-line speed, Mercedes’ only option will be to strip their car of downforce to support their lackluster engine.