Ever since its introduction in 2014, the current F1 engine formula has been dominated by the success of Mercedes-Benz AMG. Not only have the team won every championship since then, but Mercedes’ customers have dominated the midfield, too, leaving the customer Renault, Ferrari, and Honda powered teams well in the dust. How did MB get their engine to make so much more power than everyone else? If you believe the pit lane rumors, it’s simple: Mercedes is burning engine oil as fuel.
Rumors of Mercedes burning engine oil as fuel in a bit to circumvent the sport’s 105 kg/hr fuel use limit began circulating earlier this season, when Ferrari and Renault again failed to match the Silver Arrows cars on power. Violating the fuel flow rule, you’ll remember, got Daniel Ricciardo disqualified from the 2014 Australian Grand Prix.