FIA (a.k.a. the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) wants Formula 1 to lead the way in terms of using biofuels. In December of last year, the governing body of motor sport presented the very first barrels of sustainable fuel, manufactured from bio waste and developed according to stringent specifications. The aim is to have a net-zero carbon footprint by 2030. To put it simply, Formula 1 cars will rely on advanced sustainable fuels. The current level of biofuel used by teams stands at 5.75%. These days, sustainability is a far-reaching subject and people care about environmental issues. Climate change is a problem that FIA can’t afford to ignore.
Is Formula 1 killing the planet?
Formula 1 is popular for many reasons. People love the excitement of the wheel-to-wheel racing, the controversies, not to mention the rivalries. Nonetheless, many are critical of Formula 1, arguing that racing generates roughly 265,000 tons of CO2 in just one season. Perhaps this sport isn’t killing the planet, but it certainly isn’t doing any good. There’s a lot of wastefulness in the self-indulgent world of Formula 1. Concerns about the motor sport’s impact on the environment aren’t new. In the past years, there have been several discussions on this topic. If the FIA doesn’t do anything serious about it, its image will suffer.
The cars themselves are better, reporting reductions of 24% in carbon emissions. Formula 1 cars no longer use large short-stroke engines. In 2014, the FIA decided to alter sports vehicles to improve efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Even if many fans were unhappy with the new engines, the switch benefited the environment. Formula 1, which is at the forefront of technological innovation, recognizes the role it plays in tackling the global issue and is already on the way to net-zero carbon emissions from racing. The Formula 1 biofuel is a second-generation biofuel variety, meaning that it’s not like others. Shell and Scuderia Ferrari are the ones putting the pedal to the medal.
Postponing the use of biofuels
Toto Wolff, team principal and co-owner of Mercedes, supports postponing the increased use of biofuels in Formula 1 teams. What is more, he expects a disjointed Formula 1 field in 2022. Christian Horner, the British team principal of the Red Bull team, agrees with Toto Wolff and affirms that the process should be delayed by one year. Therefore, no convergence mechanism for power unit performance should be implemented, despite the general enthusiasm. The problem is that, if biofuels are delayed, the impact could be devastating. There’s simply no room for compromise.
It’s vital to deploy clean technologies and reach a level of deployment that gives sustainable fuels an edge. The coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated that attention needs to be paid to immediate issues and alternative fuels offer an important answer to many ongoing issues, translating into cost benefits, the reduction of dependence of foreign oil, and lower levels of pollution.
