Photo: Toyota Gazoo Racing NZ
Formula Regional Oceania has made the landmark announcement that its fleet of Tatuus FT-60 cars will run on synthetic fuel next season.
Series organiser Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand has been working with P1 Fuels this year, using its product in dyno and then track tests involving every one of the Toyota-powered cars that will be entered in 2024. There were “minimal changes” required to the mapping of the engines to run the synthetic fuel without causing reliability issues.
After the conclusion of that test programme, TGR NZ felt ready to adopt the fuels for racing and therefore next month’s FRegional Oceania season opener will mark the first time one of the FIA’s FRegional series has used a 100% fossil-free fuel.
According to P1, there is 77.4% less carbon dioxide output compared to petrol in making its product and supplying it, which involves converting alcohol into synthetic green hydrocarbons, then in using the fuel “just as much CO2 is saved during production as is released during combustion”.
“There were absolutely no issues and the test programme has proved the cars to be fast and reliable with the P1 fuel,” said TGR NZ’s motorport manager Nicolas Caillol. “Our goal is carbon neutrality with both of our domestic racing championships and to set new standards for environmentally conscious motorsport in New Zealand.”
Fomula 2 and the FIA Formula 3 Championship switched to a partially sustainable fuel from Aramco this year, with direct air capture one of the techiques used to create that product. French Formula 4 has been using Repsol’s biofuel since 2022.