Ethanol lowers your miles per gallon. Therefore, by adding it to our fuel we need to burn more to get the same mileage as straight gasoline.
It is also hydroscopic. It attracts water. It dissolves fuel lines and turns to gel in cold weather.
There is a reason why service stations stopped selling Ethel and went to selling gasoline. It is a better fuel.
I am not sure why formula 1 race cars burn alcohol.
>> I am not sure why formula 1 race cars burn alcohol.
That is a good question. I didn’t know either so I looked into it.
Apparently, safety is a big reason, maybe the biggest. Also, even though the power *density* of alcohol is lower than that of gasoline, you can develop more engine power under the right conditions using alcohol (it just takes more of it).
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/ctrp-1201-alcohol-fuel-basics/