As since the start of the 2020 season, the MotoGP paddock remains closed to journalists. But, as usual, that obviously doesn't stop him from buzzing with rumors, some of which come back to our ears...
We hide most of them, either because of a confidentiality clause, or for lack of elements allowing us to think that they are something other than rumors, but it also happens that several apparently diffuse elements overlap and, At this time, we share it with you.
Before even talking about the future fuel envisaged in MotoGP, it seems important to us to take stock of the current situation. Unlike tires and electronics, fuel is not the subject of a single supplier in the premier Grand Prix category and there are many tanker stickers which adorn the fairings of the prototypes.
However, behind these commercial strategies beneficial to the world of motorcycle racing, fewer manufacturers market gasoline for MotoGP.
In fact, there are only 4 of the 11 teams present in this category:
– Total-ELF for all Yamahas, KTM Tech3s and Aprilias (Castrol BP for oil for the latter),
– Repsol for all Hondas since LCR abandoned ELF,
– Shell for all Ducati,
– ETS Racing Fuels for Suzuki since 2020 to the detriment of ELF, and
for official KTMs since May this year.
The fuels allowed in MotoGP are 99% very similar to those found in gas stations. The 1% that differs, however, is very complex and makes the difference.
Highly regulated, the gasoline used in MotoGP is also very close to that used in Formula 1, not only with regard to the octane number (resistance to knocking) but also in its maximum proportions of lead and benzene, two toxic constituents of fuel.
However, and paradoxically, the MotoGP regulations are 10 times more permissive than those of their counterpart for cars with regard to diolefins, an additive particularly suspected of promoting power delivery but whose safety has been widely debated in the paddock since that a nauseating smell emerges from certain boxes where, when the tanks are being filled, mechanics operate largely protected by masks and gloves reaching up to the elbows...
This is probably why the traditional oil companies did not rush into this incongruity of the MotoGP regulations. This may not necessarily be the case for everyone and, coincidence or not, the Grand Prix authorities have decided this year to tackle the task of using more environmentally friendly fuel in the future.
Last May, the following press release was distributed to all MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 teams (Paddock-GP translation).
MotoGP™ emphasizes sustainability
Investigations are beginning on more ecological fuels, aiming for a more sustainable future for all categories of the Championship.
The FIM, IRTA, MSMA and Dorna Sports have started work on refocusing the long-term sustainability goals of the FIM MotoGP World Championship.
All parties agree on the importance of sustainability, both within the Championship and around the world, and are developing a plan to make all categories of the FIM MotoGP World Championship more environmentally friendly. environment, with an emphasis on more sustainable fuels.
In one of the most competitive periods in history, built on many years of technical and sporting regulation changes aimed at creating the greatest racing spectacle on earth, all stakeholders are committed to creating a more competitive Championship. eco-friendly without compromising the incredibly high standard of sport and entertainment, aiming for a sustainable future for both the global environment and the MotoGP paddock.
Accordingly, all parties also agree that this opportunity will be used to propose comprehensive solutions to address the performance of MotoGP™ category machines in order to continue to improve rider safety.
Further information on the sustainable future of the Championship will be provided in the coming weeks and months, as work continues to create a workable vision of a greener MotoGP.
According to our information collected in the paddock, a new less toxic and more ecological gasoline should be imposed in 2024, with undoubtedly less benzene, less lead and…less diolefins. Still according to our information, most of the large oil tankers are already ready.
How to redistribute the cards for certain teams? Only the future will tell...
MotoGP petrol characteristics:
F1 gasoline characteristics:
If you would like to check out our previous episodes of “Radio Paddock”, it’s here, and even if the truth of one day is not necessarily that of the next, we cannot say that we have been contradicted by the news… nor by the people themselves who read us.
