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Motor racing in general and Formula 1 in particular, represents the leading edge in automotive technology. Participation in Formula 1 presents a challenge and an opportunity to the petroleum industry, where significant research benefits can be gained in terms of product development. As a direct result of the regulations governing the composition of the fuels that may be used in motor racing, especially in Formula 1, they have much in common with their commercial counterparts. Racing fuels and lubricants are however optimised for the specific demands of motor racing. The technology gained through this research has had a significant bearing on the procedures and equipment employed in commercial fuel and lubricants development. Because of the very high specific output of a modern racing engine, the fuel evaluation procedure is vastly different from that used on commercial engines.

Ignition-improved methanol can be used as a fuel for heavy-duty diesel engines. However, endurance tests have revealed several fuel-related durability problems. Serious cavitation-induced erosion was observed in the injection system and extremely hard ceramic-like combustion deposits caused significantly increased wear. Since solutions could be found for most of the problems encountered, the technical viability of ignition-improved methanol can be considered as sufficiently proven. However, further development work will have to be done to modify engine parts and materials and to adjust properties of lubricating oil to the requirements of operation on methanol fuel.