Dolfi explains how the company that contributed to Mercedes’ successes worked to prepare bio-fuels for this Formula 1 season
Andrea Cremonesi
Andrea Dolfi, 48, has been Head of Fluids Technology Solutions at Petronas Lubricants Italy since 2014. The ex Olio Fiat of Santena, Turin, which in Malaysian hands, runs and wins in different categories of motorsport, two (the fuels of moto2 and moto3) and four wheels. His fuels and lubricants helped Mercedes win eight consecutive constructor champions.
Doctor Dolfi, how has F1 fuel changed compared to last year?
“The FIA wanted not only to increase the content of ecological fuel, but also prescribed a particular molecule, such as ethanol, which is cheaper. Ethanol brings a contribution of oxygen that does not participate in the production of energy, therefore the calorific value of this type of fuel decreases. But if you ask me if the percentage of ethanol makes performance critical, I answer no. 10 percent did not create particular problems. There are advantages and disadvantages: but it is true that it is a product which absorbs water so you have to be careful to treat it in such a way that it does not absorb atmospheric moisture both in the preparation phase and in the storage phase otherwise one finds himself with a limited contribution. … Gasolines with ethanol tend to have less deposits in phase combustion in the engine “.
How did you manage to recover the lost horses?
“Working mainly on other fuel parameters and on engine and combustion settings. For example, on the injection strategy or the management of temperature profiles and especially pressure profiles during the explosion phase”.
Does the regulation still allow for changes in fuel specifications?
“The rules that went into effect this year allow the development of fluids only to improve reliability. F1 is preparing for another significant change which is that of the revolution of the power unit 2026 with 100 percent sustainable fuel. Fia has realized that this represents a considerable engineering and economic effort and it has consequently been decided to freeze the regulation as regards gasoline and motor oil from the current season until 2026 “.
The difficulties of the Mercedes are exclusively related to the porpoising phenomenon. Is there an engine problem?
“I can only say that all the targets we had set ourselves from the engine point of view have been set”.
Do you have a direct dialogue with the pilots?
“Directly no, but indirectly through their engineers sometimes in the past years they have provided feedback on some aspects … On the other hand there are urban legends according to which Hamilton is able to perceive the difference in weight of his shoes. in the order of grams. With that level of sensitivity we were given some feedback in terms of driveability and starting point “.
How many people do you have at GPs?
“We have a mobile laboratory managed by two of our engineers who analyze fuel and oil, the first exquisitely for quality checks to avoid any disqualification; as regards the diagnostics on lubricants it is like doing blood tests, because, by verifying the presence of metal residues, you can understand if there are any hardware problems, which could lead to breakage “.
Could the collaboration with Aramco one day lead to a partnership with Aston Martin or do you have an exclusive contract with Mercedes?
“For now Aramco puts a logo and participates as main sponsor, there is nothing in question”.
But would it be exciting for you to have a competitor developing products on the same engines?
“It is enough to read the regulation to understand that it is a very difficult thing to manage even to have a mature and well-financed relationship like that of HPP”.
There was a growth of Honda in 2021 and Ferrari in 2022, what do you attribute that to?
“I don’t like talking about others, but I remember Ferrari’s disastrous years and when Red Bull’s Honda engine didn’t stand up.”
Have you left the MotoGP, is there a risk of an encore in F1?
“Sponsorship beyond the technical activity is the parent company’s legislation, I can only say that at the moment there is no reason why it should happen. We have been working on the 2026 rules for a couple of years already”.
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