Indian Oil Set to Become First Indian Company to Supply Fuel for F1

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has announced its readiness to produce racing fuel for Formula 1 cars, making it the first Indian company to become an official fuel supplier for F1 teams. The announcement was made during the launch of 'Storm', a racing fuel that will be used by all motorcycle racers at the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship.

Racing fuels differ significantly from regular commercial fuels or premium petrols, such as 95-octane and 100-octane. They have optimised density range, distillation range, vapour pressure, and olefins. In F1 cars, the fuel is further refined to generate more power while minimising engine deposits, ensuring the cleanliness of engine parts and the fuel delivery system. The fuel's unique anti-corrosive properties also help protect the expensive metallic components of an F1 car.

Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman of IOC, confirmed that the company will produce the F1-specific fuel at its Paradip refinery in Odisha. The plant is renowned for its advanced technology and strategic location. The certification process for the fuel by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) is expected to be completed within the next three months.

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Unlike the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, F1 teams are not required to use a single fuel supplier. For instance, Shell is the official fuel supplier for the Scuderia Ferrari F1 team, while Mercedes-AMG uses fuel from Petronas, which is also its title sponsor. It remains to be seen which F1 team Indian Oil Corporation will supply, but there is hope that a team will opt for their fuel by the 2026 season, when a major engine shake-up is scheduled to occur.

The move by Indian Oil Corporation marks a significant step forward for Indian companies in the world of motorsports. As the first Indian company to become an official fuel supplier for F1, IOC is paving the way for greater Indian involvement in the sport and showcasing the nation's capabilities in producing high-quality racing fuels.