Not only is the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) the home of leading automotive technology, it is also a test bench for high-performance lubricants.
In Qatar, we got an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes at Porsche Penske Motorsport to find out what role research and development plays at the racetrack.
Test bench: Focus on technology transfer
The partnership between Mobil 1 and Porsche in the WEC goes far beyond a traditional sponsorship commitment. It is the epitome of technology transfer, with innovation from motor racing flowing directly into the development of road cars. Designing high-performance lubricants for the WEC is a complex process consisting of multiple different phases:
- In the lab: Chemistry experts and engineers work on new molecule structures and additive combinations.
- Simulation: Using computer models, the engineers simulate how the lubricants behave in different conditions.
- Put to the test on the race track: The most promising formulations are tested in real-world conditions in racing engines.
- Analysis and optimisation: Samples are analysed after each race to evaluate wear and performance.
- Transfer to mass production: Successful innovations are adapted for use in road cars.
The specific technologies that Mobil 1 utilises in its racing lubricants represent a key performance factor in the extreme conditions of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Mobil 1 uses fully synthetic base lubricants, which offer much higher thermal stability and oxidisation resistance compared to conventional mineral oils. That means that the oil can retain its lubricating properties even at the extremely high temperatures and mechanical loads experienced in an endurance race.
The base lubricants are supplemented with a number of carefully coordinated additives containing special components such as antioxidants that slow down the ageing process of the lubricant even further, detergents that keep the engine clean, and additives that apply a protective film to metal surfaces. Mixing these additives in exactly the right composition is crucial to ensure optimum performance under the extreme conditions of a 24-hour race.
Additives to improve the viscosity index are also important in the make-up of the lubricant. These polymers ensure that the lubricant retains its flow properties over a wide temperature range. This is particularly important as oil temperatures can fluctuate greatly during a race. A stable viscosity index ensures that the oil provides optimum lubrication both during cold starts and when the engine is at maximum load.
Last but not least, Mobil 1 also uses special friction modifiers to reduce the internal friction of the lubricant, ultimately enhancing engine efficiency. With races often decided by mere tenths of a second, this increase in efficiency can really make the difference.
From racetrack to road
The extreme conditions of a WEC race are the ultimate test bench for newly developed lubricants. The findings gained on the racetrack flow directly into the development of products we use every day on the road. In the WEC, engines have to deliver top performance over distances of up to 24 hours, which places enormous demands on the lubricants:
- Long-term wear protection: The oils must maintain a stable lubricating film over the entire race distance to protect engine components from wear.
- Efficiency in hybrid engines: With increasing electrification, oils must be specially adapted to the requirements of hybrid drives.
- Prevention of deposits: With temperatures in the combustion chamber exceeding 300°C, oils must prevent deposits that could impair engine performance.
- Viscosity stability: The oil must maintain its flow properties over a wide temperature range, from cold starts to maximum loads.
Summary: More than just marketing
The link between motorsport and everyday technology is a driving force behind innovation and quality. Every lap in the race brings real added value for the road cars of tomorrow. The extreme demands of the WEC serve as a catalyst for the development of lubricants that ensure better efficiency and longer engine life even under normal conditions.
This technology transfer emphasises the importance of motorsport as a driver of innovation for the entire automotive industry. It shows that behind every success on the racetrack is a technology that can also make our daily journeys safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly.
You can find even more insights behind the scenes of endurance racing here.
Images © Endurance Archive (Walter Schruff)