At the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in Monza, focus wasn’t only on the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Teams such as FACH AUTO TECH were also able to drive with the biobased fuel, which is being used in the international one-make series for the first time. During the general rehearsal in Italy, we spoke to Team Principal Alex Fach about these synthetic fuels.
Alternative drive systems – like the celebrated electric drive – are already featured in motorsport. How important are the biofuels in your opinion?
We see a great deal of potential in the test as well as the fuel, development focuses on the combustion engine and not on a battery. At this scale, it’s a new innovation in motorsport and paves the way for the future. Using the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup to thoroughly check these fuels is a very good stress test.
Why is this stress test needed in motorsport?
Motorsport has already driven innovations forward using practical implementation and it’s good to see this happening again within the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Motorsport is optimally suited for this process, because conditions expose materials to extreme stress. Technical progress must be long-lasting and usage in the Supercup provides important insights about precisely this. We’ve learned a great deal from meetings with Porsche – and especially from a technical point of view, we’re very much convinced.
While we’re on the subject of technology: The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup will receive an update to make it fit for using this new fuel. What else must be taken into account when using it?
The fact that the fuel weighs less is a positive effect. This is very beneficial in motorsport, where vehicles should be as agile as possible. Venturing further into technical depths, we come to the so-called ‘fuel mapping’, which determines how much fuel and how much air is supplied to the engine. Settings have to be adjusted because of other features. Porsche provides us with the necessary information accordingly and we implement it.
Does this test have a special significance for FACH AUTO TECH?
We’re very proud to be an important part of this test series. We’re involved directly as a team and can look into the future to some extent, finding out what’s possible and what could lie ahead. These insights are fascinating and it’s not the first time that we’re involved in an exchange on alternative drive systems. We’ve been interested in them for quite a while.
What was the topic in question?
I’m talking about the cooperation with MWI (Micro Wave Ignition). We’re exchanging technical know-how, which enables us to expand our horizon and perspectives. We see it as an opportunity to make new discoveries, question existing concepts and look ahead into the future with our eyes wide open.
Is there anything else you find particularly important when it comes to biofuels?
I think one thing is crucial to understand: These fuels are not in competition with the electric drive system. Actually, they complement a striving for sustainable mobility. The future needs both drive systems, because development toward greater sustainability can only be successful with versatile mainstays. And we’re thrilled to make our contribution here as a team.