Inside F1’s ‘brutal’ fuel development race

As F1 enters a new technical era in 2026, Audi and its fuel partner BP have been working extensively to meet the mandate for Advanced Sustainable Fuels. This initiative requires fuels derived from carbon capture, municipal waste, and non-food biomass. To prepare, BP assessed 70 fuel components and developed 400 samples, ultimately delivering 240,000 litres of test fuel to Audi’s facility in Neuburg to fine-tune their new power unit. Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto, who joined the team as it transitioned into a works effort, noted the steep learning curve of F1’s innovation-driven environment. For BP’s Motorsports Technology Fluid Lead, Luc Jolly, the challenge lies in balancing performance with the strict reliability requirements mandated by F1’s engine limits. Both parties view this as an ongoing development process, with potential for these sustainable fuel technologies to eventually filter down to commercial road vehicles.