Racing and innovating are vitally important to Mobil 1, using the tough testing ground of Formula 1™ to develop products that give drivers a winning edge on the track and on the road, explains Mobil 1 Global Motorsport Technology Manager Bruce Crawley.
Mobil 1™ products have been used successfully in motorsport for more than 40 years and in Formula 1™ for more than 30 years, recording in excess of 100 Grand Prix wins. Contributing to the success of a racing team is all about understanding how our products influence car performance and developing new, improved ones at a very rapid pace.
There are new challenges as the technical regulations of the sport evolve. For example, 2014 will see the introduction of new highly efficient and smaller displacement turbocharged engines requiring totally new fuel and lubricant. The tough testing ground of Grand Prix racing provides the ideal environment for Mobil 1 engineers to develop advanced engine oils which help optimize the performance of a car.
Similar to the advancements in Grand Prix race cars, recent developments in road cars often put increased pressure on the oil to perform. The Mobil 1 synthetic engine oils you use in your road car are formulated to help keep your engine running like new, just like the oils we use in Formula 1.
Our involvement in the sport allows us to develop excellent products, which, combined with engineering expertise, enables lap time reduction and improved reliability. This makes it a brilliant learning platform as we can have a direct influence on the car design, and you’re always under pressure to be innovative, to come up with new ideas and solutions.
Our partnership with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is one of the longest-running continuous relationships in Grand Prix history. Since 1995, we have helped the team to excel in the extreme conditions of the world’s most progressive motorsport, winning four world titles in that time. The partnership is based upon the provision of high-performance lubricants, race-formulation fuel and technical support to the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team, including full-time trackside engineering support at every race.
Our involvement with McLaren provides exciting challenges which involve continually improving our knowledge, understanding and products’ performance, and then translating this into a competitive edge to help the drivers win races.
TRACKING PROGRESS
The 2012 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas is an exciting opportunity to prove the performance-enhancing abilities of Mobil lubricants and fuels.
AT THE RACK
There are two keyjobs that the lubricant must do to keep a Grand Prix enginerunning like new. The first is keeping the internal surfaces in the engine clean and free from deposit build up. Second is preventing wear. If we do both of these jobs well the drivers and the team can begin the race with confidence.
MOBIL HIGH PERFORMANCE UNLEADED RACE FUEL
No refueling is allowed during the race so estimating the amount of fuel you will need to complete the race in the fastest time is critical. Approximately 50 gallons of fuel will be required to complete the Austin race.Every extra gallon added at the start can add around three seconds to the overall race time, so improving gas mileage is important. We achieve fuel consumption improvements by using a race fuel engineered to the molecular level and Mobil 1 friction-reducing engine and gearbox lubricants.
MOBIL 1™ ENGINE OIL
The engine oil plays a vital role inkeeping the engine cool, but we would also like to be able to run the engine oil as hot as possible.This opens up the opportunityto reduce drag and increase downforce by re-optimization of the radiator, aero packaging and the exit ducts. Mobil 1 engineers have developed a break through engine oil for 2012 that allows a significant increase in the engine operating temperature and car performance.
RUNNING LIKE NEW
Mobil high-performance lubricants help keep engines clean and running like new. The advanced technology used in Grand Prix racing is also in our products for the road. The wide range of Mobil lubricants provide advanced protection to critical engine parts for all types of driving conditions and vehicle types, whether you are driving in heavy stop-and-go traffic, on the highway or taking a leisurely Sunday drive. Products such as Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy, Mobil 1 High Mileage, and Mobil 1 Extended Performance have been designed for your specific driving conditions.
Safe Driving Tips
By Jenson Button (2009 Formula One World Champion) Vodafone McLaren Mercedes racing team
Defensive driving shouldn’t just happen only on the track. It should happen every time you get behind the wheel.
Tip #1
The first rule of defensive driving is to get the big picture. This means being aware of your surroundings at all times. Is there another car following too closely? Is someone driving erratically? Road awareness allows you to anticipate the mistakes of other drivers so that you can position your vehicle accordingly.
Tip #2
The second rule of defensive driving is to aim high: The driver who aims high looks far ahead up the road making you more alert to traffic conditions like slowdown or accidents. This can help you avoid collisions. You can also alert the drivers behind you by tapping on brakes.
When you drive, drive smart.
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