4 replies to this topic

[John B]

Does today's GP car have a large enough fuel tank to do a full race distance? Someone posted a "ban refueling" thread on the Comments page, and I was wondering if the post-1994 cars were designed with small cells . If they did ban stops, would the cars have to be redesigned significantly?

[DangerMouse]

As far as I understand there curently isn't a car with a big enough tank/tanks to complete the race without a stop (in normal conditions!) Rumour has it that Stewart have smallest fuel capacity due to space restrictions.

The only team ever to complete a whole race since 94 without stopping was Salo driving a Tyrrell in 96 at Monaco. The terrible conditions alied with Monaco's low fuel usage and the economy of the Yamaha meant that Tyrrell's economy run paid off netting them a 5th place abet 5 laps down!

[narhuit]

The fuel tank capacity is limited by a rule. As usually, the justification must some kind of crappy safety reason, but I think the practical reason is that it makes at least one fuel stop compulsory for every race.
And yes, the cars would have to be significantly redesigned to be able to host a tank big enough for a whole race distance.

[UPRC]

I have not heard of one...

------------------
http://www.angelfire.com/ns/scuderia


http://homepagetools...letinboard/UPRC

[PDA]

Article 6 of the F1 regulations describes allowed fuel cells. There is no limitation on the capacity. It must be behind the drivers compartment and in front of the engine and be no more than 80cm wide. Height is limited also, but there is no limit on length from front to back. I believe that most of the cars have cells of 120 - 140 litres capacity (a guess), and to go non stop would need maybe 250-280 litres except in exceptional circumstances such as the Arrows at Monaco in the rain where the distance is shorter and less throttle is used in the rain.

For comparison, CART cars have a maximum fuel cell capacity of 35 US gallons (140 litres)