Formula One cars use unleaded racing gasoline fuel, which is similar to ordinary (premium) petrol but with a more tightly controlled mix. The fuel used in F1 cars falls under high octane premium road fuel with octane thresholds of 95 to 102. F1 blends are tuned for maximum performance in given weather conditions or different circuits. During the period when teams were limited to a specific volume of fuel during a race, exotic high-density fuel blends were used which were actually more dense than water. As of the 2014 season, all F1 cars have been equipped with turbocharged 1.6 L V6 engines.

F1 is currently developing a 100% sustainable fuel that can be used in F1 cars from 2026 and can be utilized by most road cars across the world. The fuel will be unique and lab-created, and F1 is working with fuel specialists to develop a novel fuel that works with current F1 engines. F1s Chief Technical Officer Pat Symonds is heading up the team focused on creating this revolutionary fuel, and the fuel that F1 will run-in just over three years’ time will be a mixture of alcohol and a more complex fuel, made by the manufacturer.