ARAMCO supplies 100% sustainable fuel to both Formula 2 and F3, but the FIA does not believe this to be an unfair advantage ahead of F1 switching to similar fuels next year.
As has been the case for previous changes, such as the introduction of larger wheel rims, F2 and F3 are being used as a testbed for fully sustainable fuels this term.
But with fuel for both championships supplied solely by Aston Martin partner ARAMCO, FIA Single Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis was asked in Bahrain whether this gave the Saudi Arabian supplier any kind of advantage going into the new era.
“No, we don’t think that’s the case,” he answered. “Clearly, people learn from all sorts of practices in producing their technology, but we believe the Formula One rules are fairly specific about methods of production and chemical composition and requirements that we believe they’re all starting from a similar playing field, from operating on a similar playing field.”
Adding further detail, F2/3 CEO Bruno Michel explained: “F2 and F3 is a little bit simpler, because everybody’s got the same engine, everybody’s got the same fuel supplier and it’s not at all the same development that will be requested for Formula One with the different fuel suppliers.
“So that’s why also it’s a different approach that ARAMCO is having with us than they will have with Formula One.”
FIA: ARAMCO fuel brings F2/3 cost down
A prohibitive factor for the wider use of sustainable fuels to date is the larger cost than more traditional fossil fuels.
This is not, however, a burden that F2/3 teams have had to contend with, as ARAMCO came to an agreement that was most acceptable for outfits in the feeder categories.
“It’s important to mention that using sustainable fuel has not increased the cost at all of the seasons of Formula 2 and Formula 3,” said Michel.
“For one simple reason, Aramco is very, very nicely supplying free of charge the fuel to the teams. So that’s also something that we’ve been discussing with them at the beginning of the agreement.
“And instead of increasing the cost of the season, it’s diminishing the cost of the season, which is also very good news.”
Fuel change goes unnoticed by drivers
Drivers can be sensitive to the smallest of sensations when in their car. Given that running with different fuel can have a huge effect on the power delivery and output of an engine, it would have been expected that drivers would have noticed a different feel to their machinery this term. However, this has not been the case.
Asked of the feedback he has received, Michel said: “Some of them absolutely had no clue, really, which was quite interesting.
“We had these sessions with F2 and F3 drivers, and they were asking questions, and they were really interested to understand.
“But the transition was quite simple because they didn’t feel something different in the car.
“There was no, you know, diminution of performance or reliability, so it was important for them to understand what we’re doing and in what directions we’re going, and I think, and they were really interested.”
The politicisation of fuel comes at a time when the FIA is attempting to dispel concern over a fuel war in 2026.
