Mercedes raise query about F1 oil regulations

Mercedes have raised a query to the FIA about oil regulations, wherein their HPP division has asked the F1 governing body about ‘Article 20’ of the technical regulations, one that comprises of definition, properties and composition of oil.

The Article also clearly states that a competitor cannot use more than one oil in a given engine during an event.

‘Power boosting’ with oil was another area of concern for Mercedes which they needed clarity on.

They wanted to know if the turbo system oil needed to be considered as part of the of the overall 0.6 litres/100kms oil consumption limit.

Mercedes apparently had the intention to expose this loophole in the wording of Article 20, wherein other teams could have taken advantage of it.

“With the exception of transformer oils used within ERS cooling circuits, and hydraulic oils used for PU actuators (both of which should have zero consumption in operation), do all oils (and specifically, any oil used in the pressure charging [turbocharger] system) used in the Power Unit need to comply with Article 20?” the letter from Mercedes to FIA read.

“If the answer to Q1 is ‘yes’, does it therefore follow that the combined oil consumption of all the Power Unit oils must respect the 0.6lts/100km limit referenced within TD/012-17?”, referring to previous Technical Directives about oil consumption.” was the 2nd queston

Charlie Whiting sent in a reply to Mercedes, where in he made it clear that all kinds of oil need to follow the rules stated in Article 20.

He also made it very clear that turbocharger is indeed considered part of the engine.

“All oils used in the engine must comply with Article 20 of the F1 Technical Regulations. The turbocharger is considered part of the engine.” Whiting replied.

For the second question, Whiting had a very crisp reply of ‘Yes’.

Maybe Mercedes wanted to clear the air with respect to how Ferrari have been producing ‘smoke’ using the ‘turbo’.