LONDON: In 2019 Formula 1 announced its commitment to be Net-Zero Carbon by 2030 as part of a wider Sustainability Strategy.
It set ambitious targets from “factory to flag” and key members of its sporting community including teams, race promoters, partners, suppliers, broadcasters, the FIA and many more are contributing to its carbon reduction goals.
F1 is developing a 100% sustainable fuel, which will be used in F1 cars from 2026, in line with the introduction of the next-generation hybrid engines – the drop-in fuel has huge potential to be adopted in road cars globally.
Sustainable fuels
After developing the most efficient hybrid engine in the world, F1 is also driving solutions for sustainable fuel. In 2026, 100% sustainable fuel will be introduced to power the next-generation hybrid engines in F1.
The fuel is already in development with support from key stakeholders within F1 including the FIA, Aramco – an F1 global partner, fuel providers in the sport, the F1 teams and manufacturers.
Whilst racing fuel represents less than 1% of F1’s emissions, sustainable fuel is the area where F1 can have the greatest effect on the global transportation sector.
The fuel has purposely been designed with a ‘drop-in’ feature to help accelerate adoption and reduce costs for use in existing road cars (both internal combustion engines and hybrids).
Carbon action
Since its Net Zero commitment, F1 has taken a number of actions to reduce carbon footprint including:
In the past 3 years, it has introduced remote broadcast operations, which has enabled it to reduce freight
Redesigned freight containers that enable more efficient aircraft to be used
Transitioned to 100% renewable energy in F1 offices
Delivered its first carbon neutral broadcast production at Silverstone in 2021 and aims to earn this accreditation again in 2022 while applying the lessons learned to further races
Achieved the highest sustainability management accreditation awarded by the FIA (3* accredited)
Issued guidance to all race promoters to help assist them in best practice when running a sustainable event looking at key areas such as energy, plastic & waste, wellbeing & nature and local fan travel
What’s to come
*Taking action to regionalise the calendar which will help improve freight and travel logistics – this will be an ongoing process in the years to come to ensure that F1 is travelling efficiently as a World Championship
*Exploring carbon reduction measures for fans travelling to F1 events
*Working with F2 and F3 to trial sustainable fuels with their ability to test solutions at pace
*Sharing the carbon reduction activities from across its sporting community to ensure that everyone understands how the wider sport is coming together to set and achieve Net Zero goals
*Continuing to switch to more efficient logistics and travel arrangements from air, sea, and land
*Continuing to review processes as the standards for carbon reductions evolve at pace to ensure that F1 is at the forefront of this key area
