F1 fuels: Red Bull partner tested over one hundred molecular combinations
The 2026 regulations do not only apply to power units and chassis, but also extend to fuels. Sustainability goals are now a must, as demanded by the world around Formula 1. To accelerate progress, manufacturers asked Formula 1 to explore alternatives beyond full electrification, and it appears that a solution has been found.
The process has not been simple, especially for fuel and lubricant producers. At the start of the 2026 cycle, much attention has been focused on the Red Bull-Ford power unit project. The Milton Keynes-based team managed to produce a competitive engine on its first attempt, and this success is not solely down to Red Bull or Ford. A significant part of the achievement also comes from their chosen fuel and lubricant partner, ExxonMobil, which independently developed a fuel capable of meeting the sport’s strict sustainability, efficiency, and reliability requirements.
Speaking to GPBlog.com, Matti Alemayehu, Global Motorsport Technology Manager at ExxonMobil, explained the full scope of the work carried out to support both Red Bull and Racing Bulls in meeting the challenge:
“The 2026 regulations require fuels defined as ‘Advanced Sustainable Components’, such as municipal waste or second-generation non-food biomass. Our new fuel has been developed specifically for the 2026 power unit. The current regulations this season force us to ‘play’ with fewer molecular options, and this challenge has allowed us to improve our approach and make progress.”
ExxonMobil behind the scenes: over 100 molecular combinations tested in three years
The fuels, therefore, are not derived from traditional crude oil, but instead from municipal waste and second-generation biomass sources. This highlights the importance of ExxonMobil’s role in research and development.
“Our role has been to develop a fuel capable of meeting all regulatory requirements while still delivering the highest possible performance. We worked to find the most effective combination of available molecular sources — a balance between performance and reliability. Before reaching that point, we tested more than 100 combinations over three years. Around 75 specialists were involved before we defined the fuel that meets the 2026 specifications. We are applying the same level of rigor and collaboration to the development of our lubricant package.”
Fuel partners this season must not only optimise combustion efficiency inside the cylinder, but also ensure compliance with FIA greenhouse gas lifecycle emission reduction targets compared to fossil fuels. Alemayehu added:
“We have prepared for three years for this change, but we actually achieved certification already last year,” he concluded.
This highly detailed development work is not only enabling Red Bull to compete smoothly in the Formula 1 championship, but it is also contributing to a broader technological shift aimed at ensuring a future that is not exclusively dependent on full electrification.
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