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Formula 1 has pledged to keep internal combustion technology in the long-term after establishing a working group to investigate marrying hybrid power with sustainable fuels for its next-generation engine.
The current V6 turbo-hybrid engine rules were introduced in 2014 and have retained the same architecture for seven seasons, with potentially five more years of use still to come unless the new rules are brought forward.
Honda’s announcement that it will leave F1 at the end of the next year means the championship could be reduced to just three engines unless Red Bull strikes a deal to continue Honda’s project under its own steam.
But the short-term prospect of engine projects from just three automotive manufacturers has raised questions over F1’s technological relevance and what can be done to encourage new participants.
The shared desire of F1 and the FIA to move towards sustainable fuels has emerged as the core of any feasible option for the next-gen engine, with a shift to 100% “advanced sustainable fuels” by 2023 as an interim step at least.
One year on from the announcement of a bold aim to be carbon neutral by 2030, F1 says an engine roadmap with the combustion engine at the heart of it is at the top of its priorities for sustainability goals and the championship’s future.
“Formula 1 has long served as platform for introducing next generation advancements in the automotive world,” said F1 in a statement.
“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 that as the vast majority of vehicles in the world are powered by internal combustion engines, keeping that technology in the championship and developing it to be more sustainable is a way to “reduce automotive carbon emissions globally”.
“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,” F1 added.
F1’s ‘Countdown to Zero’ initiative aims to reduce the carbon footprint of its cars and on-track activities, as well as improving the logistics, travelling and facilities that are necessary to make the championship happen – all of which are far greater contributions to carbon emissions than the cars themselves.
A list of initial achievements has been outlined by F1 in the first 12 months of the sustainability drive.
It has been awarded three-star environmental accreditation from the FIA, which means “Formula 1 is demonstrating best practice and commitment to seek continual improvement through the implementation of an environmental management system”.
A two-year plan to “deliver remote broadcast operations” was rapidly accelerated into just eight weeks in response to COVID-19, with a single circuit-based broadcast centre switched to a small on-site facility and a remote one back in the UK.
F1 says this has reduced travelling staff by 36% and freight by 34% and eliminated around 70 tonnes of freight.
The championship’s offices now receive energy from 100% renewable sources, while F1 has also signed the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action Framework.
F1 says its ‘Countdown to Zero’ plan meets the requirements for members of the UN initiative to “reduce overall climate impact, educate for climate action, promote sustainable and responsible consumption and advocate for climate action through communication”.
Red Bull reveals its own sustainability drive
On Wednesday, Red Bull became the latest F1 entity to reveal plans to achieve carbon neutral status.
It is seeking to offset the 52% of its approximately-17,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions produced travelling to and competing in races with the launch of its ‘NO BULL’ initiative.
In addition to being net carbon neutral for 2020, Red Bull hopes to slash its CO2 emissions by 5,000 tonnes in 2021, including finding ways to reduce the “unavoidable” emissions produced in a global sport.
The remaining 48% of Red Bull’s emissions come from its facilities and will be tackled by direct action including on-site electricity only from renewable sources and a commitment to fully eliminating single-use plastics.
“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,” said team boss Christian Horner.
“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.”
