Shell will introduce a brand new fuel for use by Ferrari in Spain, which it expects will provide a two horsepower boost, without effecting the engines fuel efficiency.
The fuel, which has been in development for several months, has had to undergo various tests to ensure it meets the strict FIA fuel regulations and provides a performance benefit to the Ferrari engine, despite the current development freeze, as explained by Mattia Binotto, head of engine and KERS operations.
“Development of a new fuel takes a few months and it involves a lot of time, energy and resources. Shell begins developing a new fuel by screening several different samples in its laboratory before supplying what it believes to be the best candidates to us at Maranello.
“We then run performance checks on the dyno, although performance is not the only parameter, as we also look at combustion efficiency, speed of combustion, consumption and also power output. Then, the best sample is selected and undergoes reliability tests. This is a time consuming process and we are happy to introduce this new Shell V-Power fuel here in Spain as we expect it to give us an advantage.”
When asked to quantify the advantage, Binotto expects the benefits to speak for itself on track.
“To summarise it, I would say that if it works as planned then it should be good enough to improve your grid position by one place, at a time when qualifying performances are so close.
“In fact, given the engine freeze, there is very little one can do to enhance the performance of our 056, but this is one way that is allowed.”
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