ARTICLE 20 : ENGINE OIL

20.1 Purpose of Article 20

20.1.1 The purpose of this Article is to ensure that the engine oil used in Formula One is engine oil as
this term is generally understood. The function of an engine oil is to lubricate moving parts,
to improve the overall efficiency of the engine by reducing friction and to reduce wear. It also
cleans, inhibits corrosion, improves sealing, and cools the engine by carrying heat away from
moving parts. Engine oils should not enhance the properties of the fuel nor energize the
combustion. The presence of any component that cannot be rationally associated with the
defined functions of the engine oil will be deemed unacceptable.
20.1.2 Any engine oil, which appears to have been formulated in order to subvert the purpose of
this regulation, will be deemed to be outside it.

20.2 Definitions
Engine oil Fluid serving the purpose of Article 20.1 and comprising base oils and
additives as defined below.
Base Oil General :
a. A base oil is a base stock or blend of base stocks.
b. A base stock is a lubricant component that is produced by a single
manufacturer. Base stocks may be manufactured using a variety of
different processes including but not limited to distillation, solvent
refining, hydrogen processing, oligomerization, esterification, and re-
refining.
Base stock categories :
All base stocks are divided into five general categories :
a. Group I base stocks contain less than 90 percent saturates and/or greater
than 0.03 percent sulphur and have a viscosity index greater than or equal
to 80 and less than 120 using the test methods specified in Table 20.1.
b. Group II base stocks contain greater than or equal to 90 percent saturates
and less than or equal to 0.03 percent sulphur and have a viscosity index
greater than or equal to 80 and less than 120 using the test methods
specified in Table 20.1.
c. Group III base stocks contain greater than or equal to 90 percent saturates
and less than or equal to 0.03 percent sulphur and have a viscosity index
greater than or equal to 120 using the test methods specified in Table
20.1.
d. Group IV base stocks are polyalphaolefins (PAO).
e. Group V base stocks include all other base stocks not included in Group I,
II, III, or IV.

Property Test Method

Saturates ASTM D2007
Viscosity index ASTM D2270
ASTM D1552
Sulfur ASTM D2622
(use one listed ASTM D3120
method) ASTM D4294
ASTM D4927

2021 Formula 1 Technical Regulations 97 16 December 2020

© 2020 Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile Issue 7