Can Formula One Motor Racing Transform into an Eco-Friendly Sport?
- Dean Weiss
- Jun 26
- 6 min read
Some of my earliest memories of Formula One racing were of our local hero, Jody Scheckter, born on January 29, 1950, in East London, just a half-hour drive from my hometown, King Williams Town (now Qonce). He was a pivotal figure in South African Formula One motor racing. Known for his speed and talent, Scheckter quickly advanced through local competitions, breaking into Formula Ford and Formula Three in the early 1970s in Europe. In 1973, he made his debut in Formula One with March Engineering and joined Ferrari in 1979, becoming the first South African to win the Formula One World Championship. His fearless driving and 1979 victory increased Formula One's global popularity and inspired future South African drivers.
How is Formula One motor racing viewed today, considering climate change concerns, and how might it develop in the future?
At first glance, Formula One motor racing might not appear to prioritise environmental concerns. However, the FIA is committed to achieving zero carbon emissions by 2030, highlighting a growing awareness within the sport. Motorsport has an inherently detrimental effect on the environment, raising questions among fans about the pace of progress toward sustainability.
To illustrate the extent of this impact, consider that a single Formula One team travels over 174,000 air kilometres during a typical 21-race season. Together, all ten teams collectively emit approximately 324 million kilograms of CO2—an amount equivalent to charging 8 billion smartphones. This staggering figure is particularly significant when you take into account that in 2020 alone, the transportation sector produced 7 billion tons of CO2, underscoring its role as a major contributor to climate change.
It's also important to recognise that motorsport vehicles emit nine times more CO2 per kilometre than the average new car. This stark contrast further emphasises the need for Formula One and similar sports to take meaningful and immediate action toward sustainability.
Change is crucial, and Sylvain Filippi, managing director of Envision Racing, leads this effort from Silverstone. His goal is for all cars to run on 100% sustainably fueled hybrids. "By 2025, we aim to introduce a carbon-neutral, sustainably fueled hybrid engine that maintains power and speed," he states. Filippi is working to reduce carbon emissions and is in discussions with fuel companies to boost production for sports and broader uses. Lewis Hamilton supports this initiative, advocating for environmental change. Sebastien Vettel agrees, urging F1 to use its resources for a greener future. By 2030, F1 aims to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint, addressing the approximately 250,000 tons of carbon emissions produced annually.
So, how do they plan to do that? In 2022, F1 introduced 10% sustainable fuel, a positive step, despite cars contributing only 0.7% of the season's emissions, highlighting the need for broader initiatives. F1 Managing Director Ross Brawn suggests sustainable fuel offers a competitive edge, and rewarding eco-friendly teams could be beneficial.
Other options to reduce emissions that are being considered and tested include the use of biofuels, hybrid, or electric powertrains, although the latter is more costly. Enhancing vehicle efficiency through improved engine design and the use of lighter materials is also a possibility. Whatever findings they uncover will be applied to the broader car population. However, with over 1.3 billion internal combustion cars in the world, rolling out the improvements will take time.
A British Formula One engineer, Paddy Lowe, is on a mission to develop sustainable fuel. His Zero Petroleum project aims to produce synthetic petroleum for use in existing cars and in areas of the world that lack electrical infrastructure to support electric vehicles. While progress has been made in reducing motorsport carbon emissions through the use of sustainable fuels and other innovations, there remains significant potential for further advancements.
The FIA, teams, and racetracks contribute significantly to the ongoing research. The French racetrack, Paul Ricard, has achieved high FIA environmental certification thanks to its Corporate Social Responsibility strategy. It has reduced water usage by capturing rainwater and decreased electricity consumption with solar panel installations. At Paul Ricard, all race and spectator waste is recycled. Plants and hedges landscaped on the grounds minimise engine noise and protect wildlife, while a bio-monitoring system assesses air quality.
Implementing sustainability measures will make the sport more enjoyable by levelling the playing field and bringing more of the driver's ability back into the racing. The measures will also even out racing teams' budgets and, best of all, reduce their carbon footprint. Such action is needed to avoid severe global climate consequences. The FIA must address car pollution for sustainable development and is already exploring eco-friendly solutions through the Formula E championship.
Is Formula E the future of motor racing?
Formula E, which was introduced in 2014, focuses on electric transport and serves as a testing ground for the development of sustainable solutions in the sector. This has led to technological and ecological advancements, featuring cars that run on biofuel made from vegetable oil (the same type of oil used for frying food) when the electric grid is unavailable. After each race, the batteries and tires are recycled.
Formula E demonstrates that motorsport can be a relatively quiet and environmentally friendly exercise, marking a groundbreaking shift in the racing scene. Unlike traditional racing formats that rely heavily on combustion engines, Formula E uses fully electric vehicles, which significantly reduces noise pollution and carbon emissions. This transition not only aligns with global efforts to combat climate change but also sets a precedent for future racing formats.
Formula E showcases advancements in battery efficiency and energy recovery, proving that high performance and sustainability can coexist. Races on temporary street circuits in major cities engage urban populations, fostering environmentally conscious racing enthusiasts. Formula E provides ecological benefits and serves as a testing ground for automotive manufacturers investing in electric technology. Companies use the series to develop and refine electric vehicle technologies in a competitive environment, resulting in more efficient products available to consumers and accelerating the mainstream adoption of electric vehicles.
All Formula E teams contribute to a more ecological approach and seek environmental certification. Transport remains a major concern, as it accounts for the majority (75%) of the sport's CO2 emissions. Formula E has partnered with DHL to explore more environmentally friendly logistics solutions, including an optimised race calendar, adopting a multimodal approach that favours using rail and road transport, and using city-based racetracks to reduce spectator travel. These initiatives have been proven successful, with Formula E achieving ISO 20121 certification (a voluntary international standard for sustainable management). This progress encourages the FIA to continue its sustainability strategy.
The fan experience in Formula E is evolving with the integration of digital technology and interactive elements. Fans can engage with teams in real-time through mobile apps, gaining insights into team and driver strategies. This interaction adds value to the spectator experience and fosters a more connected and informed community. Formula E's focus on sustainability, technological innovation, and fan engagement may define the future of motor racing. As motorsport confronts climate change and the growing demand for greener alternatives, Formula E's success could inspire a broader industry shift.
Conclusion
A major challenge in motorsports is the significant dependence on fossil fuels. Conventional motorsport events, such as car and motorcycle races, typically consume large quantities of petrol and other fossil fuels, resulting in substantial emissions and contributing to air pollution.
Currently, organising 21 races annually seems inefficient, as Formula One teams travel back and forth across the globe rather than scheduling all the Grand Prix events on each continent consecutively. Implementing a sequential approach would lower costs and decrease transport emissions.
There are several ways to make motorsports more sustainable. One approach is to promote electric vehicles, which have zero emissions and use renewable energy. Electric car racing is already gaining popularity and is expected to continue growing. Another approach is to reduce the environmental footprint of motorsport events by minimising waste, promoting carpooling and public transportation, and utilising renewable energy sources. Motorsports organisations can also work with local communities to minimise environmental impact and educate the public.
In my view, Formula E embodies the future of motor racing. This format is becoming increasingly popular, and I believe Formula One will follow this path within the next decade. Certainly, motor racing has the potential to become environmentally friendly in the near future.
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