As Formula 1 transitions into the European segment of the 2025 season, its commitment to an alternative fuel strategy to help their goal of reaching the Net Zero emissions by 2030 goal.
This season marks a significant advancement in the sport’s environmental efforts, building on trials from previous years.
Renewable energy system will power the pit and paddock areas, while both the Formula 2 and Formula 3 championships will continue to run on 100% advanced sustainable fuel, setting the stage for Formula 1 cars to use these fuels by 2026.
Commenting on the transition, head of ESG at Formula 1, Ellen Jones, said: “It is incredibly exciting to see our alternative fuel strategy deliver significant carbon reductions across the European season and beyond.”
“We remain on track to be Net Zero by 2030, and it is new technologies and innovations such as this that will see us hit our goal.
“Working with our partners, as well as all of our teams and the FIA, the sport is proving that you can grow sustainably, with no compromise to our on-track product or fan experience,” Jones said.
The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix featured a new low-carbon energy system in the paddock, with the initiative expected to cut carbon emissions from energy use by about 90%.
This system is being put in place with Formula 1’s partner, Aggreko, after successful tests at the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix and similar events in Hungary and Italy in 2024.
These trials showed big drops in carbon emissions in key areas like the paddock and pit lane.
The new energy solution for the paddock centralises power from renewable sources including hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), solar energy, and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
This means Formula 1, its ten teams, and the FIA no longer need individual generators, leading to significant carbon reductions and less pollution from transportation.
On the other note, DHL’s biofuel trucks will also play a big role in Europe, further boosting Formula 1’s sustainability efforts by using more alternative fuels, these trucks achieved an average emission reduction of 83% compared to regular fuels during European races.
The fuel being developed is designed to be a “drop-in” option, meaning it can be used in existing road vehicles without any changes, offering a sustainable choice with global implications.
Lastly, Formula 1’s proactive alternative fuel strategy has been key to its ongoing efforts to cut carbon emissions.
Last year, the sport invested a lot in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which led to an estimated 80% reduction in carbon emissions per flight compared to traditional aviation fuels.
Working with global partners like DHL and Qatar Airways, Formula 1 has collectively cut over 8,000 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) across flyaway events in the 2024 season, representing an approximate 19% decrease in total emissions from conventional aviation fuel.
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