F2 Explained: New sustainable fuels technology and the development behind-the-scenes

2025 marks the introduction of a new technology in FIA Formula 2, as the bio-sourced fuels of 2024 undergo a transformation to reach a new cutting-edge milestone: 100% sustainability.

In partnership with Aramco, the Advanced Sustainable Fuel used in the Championship now reaches the FIA’s 100% sustainable fuel standard, a big step forward in the development pathway in the single-seater pyramid.

The second-generation bio components that make up the fuel still meet the required power output that would be expected in Formula 2, a very impressive achievement. F2 Technical Director Pierre-Alain Michot explains how the development programme and extensive work in the laboratory led to the ideal fuel specification that will be used this season.

“This is an incredible step in our journey to making our sport more sustainable"

“In 2023 and 2024, we were using 55% sustainable fuel and in 2025, we move to 100% advanced sustainable fuel. It’s bio-sourced fuel, the specification of which we chose together in line with our performance expectations,” Michot said.

“We tested a variety of specifications in the lab with Aramco, tested and validated on the Mecachrome dyno. We did endurance running, accumulating a lot of mileage and that was continuous throughout the development cycle.

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“We were running tests in parallel with the car on track, making improvements to the engine mapping, and implementing changes during the test days. We finalised our specification in early July 2024.”

‘Mapping’ is the retooling of the engine control unit (ECU) - essentially its brain - in a way that teaches the engine how to deliver power in the best way possible, using the new fuel to its strengths for maximum performance across a full range of demands.

The creation of the engine mapping is crucial to the new generation of fuel for the 2025 engine, as the work done in the lab must be pinpoint to maximise efficiency of the advanced sustainable fuel and keep the engine in optimal shape across its lifespan.

“As soon as you put a new fuel in the car, you need to do new engine mapping, which means that we haven’t started from scratch, but we have to make sure that whatever we’re doing, the car is operating as expected with the fuel across the car’s full range of performance and behaviour.

“It needs to work from idle to the rev limiter to make sure that the engine is working properly. If there’s any part that doesn’t work, it can damage the engine. You have to take a lot of parameters into account and are considered when doing a new mapping.

“This is where Mecachrome play their role, because Aramco is providing a great product, but Mecachrome have to do their part and make sure that it works with the engine we use.”

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Formula 2 and Formula 3 CEO Bruno Michel added that the implementation of the new Advanced Sustainable Fuel was a big moment for both Championships. “Running on sustainable fuels is absolutely key for the future of motorsport and part of a long-term process, which we started with Aramco back in 2023.

“Since then, we have introduced Advanced Sustainable fuels successfully, and this year, our 52 cars run on Aramco's 100% Advanced Sustainable fuels across Formula 3 and Formula 2.

“This is an incredible step in our journey to making our sport more sustainable, and I would like to thank Aramco for this great milestone. Together, we can be very proud.”