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Start: Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF71H leads
Prime
Analysis

Formula 1's major engine controversy explained

The idea that some F1 teams have been using oil as fuel to boost performance has been an ongoing recent controversy of the V6 hybrid era. Here, Pat Symonds explains the history of this dark art and just how squads have been exploiting the rules.

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Pre-season testing and the early races of each Formula 1 season always spark some controversy based on creative interpretations of the 105 pages of technical regulations that govern the design of the cars. It's the first time that rival technical directors get a look at the opposition, and inevitably this leads to discussion of the semantics that may be used to form the understanding of those regulations.

I've mentioned oil burning briefly before, but since interest in this abstruse subject - which many thought had been put to rest - has been sparked afresh, it's worth revisiting and examining in more detail.

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