Internal combustion engines convert chemical energy in fuel at the injectors into mechanical energy. Chemical energy can be lost when delivered to the combustion chamber due to the mechanical friction between components. Developing an oil that provides higher-performing lubrication resulting in less friction significantly improves the engines performance.
Mobil 1 have been working with Honda Formula 1 power unit engineers since 2018. The global motorsport technology manager has confirmed that they have been developing to push the boundaries of what is possible for Formula 1 engine oil. From this they have created a unique molecular composition of products for the Honda Formula 1 power unit.
The new Mobil 1 Oil has the capabilities of withstanding significantly higher temperatures than its predecessor. This provides a knock-on effect to the design of other parts of the vehicle, such as developing a more compact, and efficient engine to effectively improve the car’s packaging volume and aerodynamics, the most performance-dependent factor in Formula 1.
When creating the perfect oil Mobil 1 looked in some unusual places for components and compounds, this included the cosmetics industry which enabled them to bring in new components for the race oil formulation.
Mobil 1 also aimed to improve the sustainability of their new oil. 25% of the base oil in Mobil 1’s formula 1 race engine oil is bio-based content. Allowing them to prove that environmental formulations can coincide with high performance.
To find out more about Mobil 1’s Formula 1 race engine oil click here.