Refueling

Refueling is the process of adding fuel to a race vehicle during a competition, typically performed during a pit stop to enable the car to complete the race distance.

In motorsport, refueling serves both practical and strategic purposes. Cars carrying less fuel are lighter and therefore faster, so teams often prefer multiple pit stops for refueling rather than starting with a full tank. During a pit stop, specialized crew members use high-flow equipment to quickly and safely transfer fuel into the vehicle.

Refueling regulations vary across racing series. For example, endurance races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans require multiple refueling stops, while Formula 1 banned in-race refueling in 2010 for safety reasons. When permitted, refueling strategy can significantly impact race outcomes by balancing fuel weight against the time lost during pit stops.