As Ferrari prepares for the technical revolution of the 2026 Formula 1 season, the topic of fuel is becoming increasingly central, also due to the work being carried out by Shell. A crucial part of the performance of the new power unit will depend on the fuel’s ability to release energy, but how is this possible?
The 2026 Formula 1 regulations will not only change the appearance of the cars, but also the very concept of performance. For this reason, fuel takes on a key role for Ferrari and its technical partners. According to reports from Motorsport.com Italia, Shell’s contribution through its E-FUEL project will be decisive. The higher the calorific value of the fuel, the greater the potential for the power unit to generate power. This is a challenge that is not fought exclusively on the track, but much earlier, inside laboratories and through complex production processes.
Performance, sustainability and technical freedom: the fuel revolution
The new era marks the introduction of synthetic fuels produced entirely from advanced sustainable raw materials, representing a major innovation. Shell, Ferrari’s long-standing partner, has been working on this project for several years, as explained by the company’s Technology Manager, Valeria Loreti: “There is a fundamental change in the concept of fuel and it does not concern the chemistry of the final molecules. They are still hydrocarbons. The difference is not there, but in the origin of the carbon atoms that form the basis of the molecules.”
Valeria Loreti explained that oil almost completely disappears from the process, making room for a wide range of alternative feedstocks. Agricultural residues, industrial by-products, organic waste and recycled materials become the starting point for creating a fuel capable of guaranteeing efficiency and high performance. However, the real work is not limited to the final product alone.
“The idea is that research is no longer focused only on the final product and on the best formulation for the engine, but that it moves further back along the chain,” she explained, clarifying how the choice of production processes directly influences the characteristics of the fuel of the future.
The new regulations introduce a cap on emissions across the entire production process, creating a mechanism similar to a budget cap. “When formulating the fuel, there are three parameters: performance, efficiency and environmental impact. You therefore need to find the right balance between all three.” In this case as well, checks will be strict, with FIA audits and assessments based on the Renewable Energy Directive.
As a result, fuel in 2026 will not be just a technical component, but a true performance multiplier. Shell has been working on this project since 2022, with the clear objective of supplying Ferrari with a fuel capable of unlocking the full potential of the new power unit and giving the Scuderia a competitive edge in the next Formula 1 era.
The collaboration between Shell and Ferrari highlights that the 2026 championship won’t just be won on the drawing boards of Maranello, but in the high-tech refineries and laboratories where these sustainable molecules are born. By shifting the focus from simple formulation to the entire lifecycle of the carbon atom, Shell is aiming to provide the Scuderia with a strategic “energy multiplier” that could prove decisive in the power unit wars. As the countdown to the new technical era continues, it is becoming increasingly clear that the liquid in the tank will be just as revolutionary as the hybrid hardware it powers.
Leave a Reply