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MODULE 7

SUSTAINABILITY
IN FORMULA 1: PLANS AND INITIATIVES

Lesson 21

BACKGROUND

As much as we love F1 for its high-tech engineering and global appeal, we have to look at it critically for its hefty carbon footprint. In the past few years, the sport has committed to a major transformation: becoming more sustainable without losing its edge. This shift isn’t just about looking good; it’s about making sure the sport can survive and thrive long into the future. This module breaks down F1’s environmental goals, the changes being made, and how it all affects the economics behind the scenes.

Lesson 22

A GREENER GRID: F1’S FIVE-POINT
PLAN FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Back in 2019, F1 announced it wants to hit net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. That’s a big deal considering that in one season, the sport used to produce over 250,000 tons of Co2. But here’s the interesting part—less than 1% of that actually comes from the cars during races. Most of the emissions come from how everything gets moved around the world (think planes, trucks, ships) and from the energy used at events and factories.

To hit the 2030 goal, F1 is working on five main fronts:

Switching to Sustainable Fuel: F1 cars are already some of the most efficient in motorsport, but by 2026 they’ll be running on 100% sustainable fuel. This fuel will be made from waste products or captured carbon, and it won’t need a special engine—it’ll work in regular combustion engines too. This could actually influence the wider auto industry!

More Efficient Engines: Current F1 hybrid engines already hit over 50% thermal efficiency, which is way ahead of typical cars. The 2026 engine updates will build on that, using less fuel to go just as fast.

Green Facilities and Race Events: From team factories to the actual races, F! Is going greener. Offices are switching to renewable energy, circuits are installing solar panels, and waste is being reduced with better recycling and less single-use plastic.

Smarter Travel and Shipping: Since shipping equipment around the world is the biggest emissions culprit, F1 is redesigning how it moves stuff. It’s using more sea freight instead of air (which is slower but cleaner and cheaper) and even remove broadcasting to send fewer people and less gear to races. Race calendars are also being planned to reduce global zigzagging.

Offsetting the Rest: Some emissions are unavoidable, especially with global travel. F1 plans to to balance these out with carbon offsets, like investing in tree-planting and carbon capture.

Lesson 23

TEAM-LEVEL INITIATIVES
FOR SUSTAINABILITY

All ten F1 teams have joined the movement, with every team reaching the sport’s top sustainability certification by 2023.

Here are a few standouts:

Mercedes: Mercedes is aiming for net-zero across its operations by 2030. They’ve been using sustainable aviation fuel for team travel, which cut thousands of tons of emissions in on e year. For European races, they’ve switched to biofuel-powered trucks, cutting freight emissions by about two-thirds. Their UK facilities now run entirely on renewable energy.

McLaren: McLaren wants to cut its emissions by half by 2030. They’ve reduced air freight by using more sea freight and recently tested a super-sustainable route using trains, electric trucks, and biofuel haulers between two U.S. races. They’re also experimenting with recycled carbon fiber to eventually build a “circular” F1 car with minimal waste.

Williams: Williams is going every further. They aim to be climate positive by 2030. That means removing more carbon from the air than they emit. They’re focusing on energy efficiency at their facilities and exploring renewable energy sources. They’re also using their sustainability efforts to attract new sponsors and partners.

Lesson 24

THE FINANCIAL SIDE OF GOING GREEN

Of course, all of these changes come at a great financial cost to the teams, but they can also save money and even open new revenue opportunities.

Balancing Budgets: We know F1 has a strict cost cap to keep competition fair. Right now, sustainability projects count toward that cap, meaning teams have to choose between spending on car performance or green upgrades. There’s an ongoing push to adjust the rules so teams can invest in sustainability without hurting their competitiveness.

Saving Money Through Efficiency: Using sea freight instead of air freight? Huge savings! Swapping diesel generators for solar power? Lower utility bills over time. Many of the sustainability moves actually help teams cut costs, especially in their logistics and energy.

Attracting Sponsors: Sustainability is good business. Teams that lead in green innovation can attract sponsors from industries like clean energy, logistics, and technology. These partnerships help fund green projects and give brands a way to show off their environmental commitment.

Avoiding Future Costs: By going green now, F1 is dodging potential future expenses like carbon taxes or restrictions on international events. Pause, fans (especially younger ones) care about climate action—so staying green helps keep the sport popular and marketable.

Lesson 25

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