F1 to keep combustion PU as part of sustainable future engine rules

Formula 1 has created a working group to investigate a future engine formula powered by sustainable fuels to help it achieve its aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Exactly one year ago to the day, F1 launched its plan to become a “net zero” producer of carbon emissions as part of a bid to wipe out the carbon footprint of activity at race tracks, including a move to “ultra-efficient logistics and travel”.

Providing an update on its progress over the past 12 months, F1 confirmed how it plans to create a sustainable engine formula in the future. 

The current power unit regulations are in line to continue until the end of 2025 and F1 has pledged to keep internal combustion technology in the long-term. 

“At the top of our priorities for both sustainability and our sport is building a roadmap for the internal combustion engine that addresses the environmental goals of our automotive partners and society,” an F1 statement read.

“Formula 1 has long served as platform for introducing next generation advancements in the automotive world. We believe we have the opportunity to do that with a next generation engine that combines hybrid technology with sustainable fuels.

“Therefore a working group of F1 and FIA personnel has been set up to investigate a future engine formula powered by sustainable fuels. This group will be expanded to include specialists from the OEMs and energy suppliers as well as seeking expertise from independent research groups.

“Although the carbon footprint of the cars is a very small percentage of our carbon footprint as a sport (0.7%) it is important that the most visual part of our sport is sustainable and can have real world benefits.”

F1 believes it can “lead the way in technologies that reduce automotive carbon emissions globally” with combustion engines still being a part of a net-zero carbon future.

The current hybrid power units used in F1 since 2014 are the most efficient car engines in the world, boasting a thermal efficiency rating of 50% in contrast to road-car petrol engines, which are usually around the 30% mark.

“We believe that with over 1 billion of the 1.1 billion vehicles in the world powered by internal combustion engines, we have the potential to lead the way in technologies that reduce automotive carbon emissions globally,” the statement continued.

“We also believe that there is not a single solution to the engine technologies of the future but that a sustainably fuel hybrid engine will be a significant moment for the sport and the automotive sector.”

So far this year F1 has been awarded a three-star environmental accreditation rating, the highest sustainability accreditation the FIA can award. McLaren and two Formula E teams, Mahindra and Envision Virgin Racing have also been given a three-star rating.

F1 has also signed the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action Framework that requires all members to undertake systematic efforts to promote greater environmental responsibility, in line with its own plans to become net-zero carbon by 2030.

From 2021, the FIA, F1 and its 10 teams will work to “significantly reduce the amount of single-use plastic bottles and cutlery and food waste” in the pit and paddock at events.

In the coming months, F1 is set to provide an update on the actions being taken to increase diversity and inclusion in motorsport, including sport-wide commitments made through the task force it established back in June.

On Wednesday, Red Bull announced its own 'NO BULL' sustainability drive following a three-year carbon footprint study. 

The team said it had set "aggressive targets" to achieve net carbon neutral status for the 2020 season and reduce team carbon emissions by "5000 tonnes" in 2021. 

“We are working with Gold Standard to responsibly offset carbon emissions such as flights, freight and manufacturing operations that are currently unavoidable," said a Red Bull statement. 

"Yes, we’re working to further reduce these emissions. Yes, we’ll be continuing our monitoring and identifying every opportunity to improve. But we’re not hiding behind this.

“Having taken action for our currently unavoidable emissions, our attention turns to the 48% of our carbon footprint which lies firmly in our hands – our facilities in Milton Keynes and our ‘NO BULL’ committee have been hard at work.”

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: “We are in full support of F1’s ‘Countdown to Zero’ initiative and we all have a part to play in minimizing our environmental impact.

"As a team we have taken time to analyse our team before embarking on our straight talking ‘NO BULL’ initiative. We aim to be open and disclose our carbon footprint in order to provide a narrative of our journey, including the challenges we face as a business.

"Our partnership with Gold Standard forms part of an evolving strategy and mindset change which we will embark upon with the same commitment as we do our racing.”