Carbon Footprint of Fuel Consumption in Formula 1 (Part I)

Sorted in the descending order, this graph presents the total distance the 20 cars cover in the race, for each race in the calendar year 2008.

The total race distance ranged from a maximum of 310 km per race (in Malaysia) to a minimum of 261 km (in Monte Carlo). Monte Carlo is an outlier, if we neglect Monte Carlo, the next one on the list from the bottom is China (with 305 km). 

So with the exception of Monte Carlo, 17 out of the 18 races range from 305 – 310 km for total race distance.

I can explain why Monte Carlo is an outlier. We only cover 261 km in Monte Carlo because the nature of the street circuit is such that it is slow; hence, we consume 1.5 hours to cover 261 km in itself. 

In other traditional circuits, we consume 1.5 hours to travel 305–310 km, hence the total number of laps in Monte Carlo have been adjusted to bide the constraint of 1.5 hours, it is indeed unique.

When averaged over the 18 circuits present in the schedule this year, each car travels an average of 305 km, to complete each race. The sensitivity analysis (part 3) will also include some cars not finishing the race. 

That said, I end part one with this discussion on circuits. The next part will continue from part one, discussing fuel mileage and fuel consumption of the cars on Sunday.

Fuel combustion releases CO₂ emissions and it is also directly influenced by the nature of each circuit discussed above.

Let me leave you with this food for thought. You know what the normal fuel mileage of our road cars, even the really low mileage ones provide around 13 miles per gallon, and the efficient ones provide around 27 miles per gallon (mpg).

Take a guess on what the mpg of a F-1 car is ... it is 1.5.

I'll pick this up tomm

Cheers –

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