Internal combustion engines are energy conversion devices ? they convert chemical energy in the fuel at the injectors into mechanical energy at the output shaft. A significant percentage of the chemical energy delivered to the combustion chamber is lost to mechanical friction between components. The most notable is the piston ring and cylinder interface and the con rod and big end bearing assemblies. Developing an oil to provide a higher-performing lubrication regime with less friction in these areas considerably improves engine performance. Reducing friction also has a knock-on effect in other areas of efficiency, such as reducing the amount of energy required to carry out the non-firing strokes, known as pumping losses.
Motorsport provides an essential learning platform and a proving ground for fuels and lubricants brands, such as Mobil 1, for these exact challenges. Mobil 1 works with Honda Formula 1 power unit engineers who have worked very closely with the Red Bull Racing since Honda changed from a power unit supplier to a technical partner of Torro Rosso back in 2018. Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda in the Pitlane during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas. Photo by Darron Cummings – Pool/Getty Images)

Global motorsport technology manager Tomek Young leads Mobil 1‘s Formula 1 development efforts. ‘We have done a lot of developing to push the bou...