When BMW used Rocket Fuel To Propel Brabham to F1 Glory in 1983

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In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, the 1983 season stands out as a defining moment for Brabham and BMW. The collaboration between these two giants in motorsport resulted in a formidable combination that shook the competition to its core. To understand the significance of BMW's infusion of rocket fuel, we must delve deeper into their history in F1, the specifics of the engine, and how this interesting fuel mix played a crucial role in their road to victory.
The partnership between Brabham and BMW had its share of challenges and tensions, but it was Nelson Piquet, the talented Brazilian driver, who served as the linchpin that held everything together. Piquet's foresight and dedication to the BMW-powered car played a pivotal role in the success they achieved. As the shift towards turbocharged F1 engines became evident, Piquet understood the importance of collaborating closely with Paul Rosche, the visionary head of BMW Motorsport's engine division.
The season started with a bang for Brabham and BMW, with Piquet claiming a surprising victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix in the BT52, a car meticulously designed by Gordon Murray. However, as the season progressed, their performance waned, and they faced fierce competition from the likes of Renault's Alain Prost.
Unbeknownst to the competitors and the spectators, Brabham and BMW were meticulously crafting their endgame strategy. They had developed an upgraded version of the BT52, the BT52B, which was their secret weapon. This car, when combined with BMW's revolutionary rocket fuel, would ultimately prove to be their path to glory.
The "Nazi rocket fuel," as it was informally called due to its dramatic revelation during the closing races, was a masterstroke by Paul Rosche. His relentless pursuit of more power from the four-cylinder engine led him on a quest for a legendary fuel developed during World War II. The breakthrough came when he collaborated with a fuel expert from Wintershall, a BASF subsidiary, who devised a synthetic fuel with a unique formula.
You see During that era the fuel regulations mandated that racing cars use petrol similar to that used in road cars, BMW's technicians spotted a potential advantage. The regulations specified a maximum octane rating of 102, which is a measure of a fuel's performance in resisting knocking or detonation. But this loose wording allowed the BMW team to think outside the box and explore unconventional solutions.
Their innovative solution involved incorporating toluene into the fuel mixture. Toluene, also known as methylbenzene, is a hydrocarbon derived from petrol. What made toluene a game-changer was its unique properties that provided several performance benefits. First, it burned more rapidly, generating more heat energy during combustion. This increase in heat energy translated into more power being generated by the engine, giving BMW's racing cars an advantage on the track.
Moreover, toluene's resistance to "detonation" was a significant benefit. Detonation, also known as engine knock, occurs when the air-fuel mixture ignites spontaneously and unevenly inside the engine's cylinders, leading to a loss of power and potential engine damage. By using toluene in their fuel blend, the BMW technicians effectively mitigated this issue, ensuring consistent and reliable performance on the racetrack.
This transformation made the BMW engine significantly less susceptible to detonation, a problem that had plagued them before. As a result, the revitalized four-cylinder engine produced horsepower well over 750bhp, and on a qualifying session their cars made over 1300HP which is insane for a 1.5 liter engine
The revelation of the rocket fuel during the German GP at Hockenheim was a turning point in the championship. The upgraded BT52B, powered by the rocket-fueled BMW engine, became the F1's speed monarch. Piquet's performance during the final trio of races at Monza, Brands Hatch, and Kyalami was nothing short of spectacular. He, along with teammate Riccardo Patrese, emerged as the indisputable pacemakers, propelling Piquet to his second world title.

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