Revolution in Formula 1
As part of its plans to make the sport more carbon-neutral, Formula 1 is planning to use 100% carbon-free fuels in the future. Impacts on the road cars of our everyday lives can thus also be expected.
Exhaust fumes, tyre wear, manufacturing-related pollutant emissions - definitely cars are among the polluters. But when we talk about cars and environmental impact, we are not just talking about the cars we see on the roads every day. Although always at the cutting edge in many aspects and technology, even the world-famous Formula 1 cars have so far not been synonymous with climate friendliness. But now this is about to change. As announced on the official website, Formula 1 wants to run 100% on sustainable fuel by 2026. In this way, the racing series wants to achieve its ambitious goal of becoming carbon-free by 2030 - and in the process pioneer the entire car industry.
The fuel revolution has already begun this year. Currently, the racing cars run on E10 fuel - a mixture of 90 % petrol and 10 % renewable ethanol. This relatively small proportion of green ethanol, however, is just the first step in the research effort that the sport and the teams will be heavily involved with in the coming years.
"It's been a real challenge," admits F1's chief commissioner for technical development, Pat Symonds, of the fuel's development. For months, Symonds had been researching intensively to develop the best product for 2026. He worked closely with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and the oil company ARAMCO. Now they proudly present what they have achieved. The fuel, which will be used in about more than three years, is - according to motorsport managing director Ross Brawn - "unique and a wonderful opportunity". The success of the fuel specialists lies above all in the neutralisation of the carbon cycle, which should render the CO2 emissions of the engines null and void.
The researched fuel solution could be used not only in Formula 1 vehicles, but also in most road vehicles worldwide. Without having to change anything in the engine, it could power all the combustion engines that will still be on the road in 2026. After all, not everyone will be able to afford a modern electric or hydrogen-powered car - as well as these types of drive will remain impossible in some parts of the world due to infrastructure problems. With their new development in e-fuels, Formula1 and Partners want to pave the way for more green mobility alternatives. "All the oil companies working in Formula1 are committed to this goal," Brawn continued. The technical knowledge they have achieved, should it prove successful in research over the next few years, they intend to share it and make it available to the car industry.
Consequently, the coming fuel revolution should not only help racing, which is often criticised for environmental concerns, to arrive in a clean future. The effects could unfold on an even larger scale and change the world of transport in general for the better. And who knows, maybe car buyers will choose between electric cars and fuel cell cars in the future - or retrofit their old combustion cars with the 100% climate-neutral fuels of the fastest cars in the world.