Formula 1 – The unlikely hero in the fight against climate change

Formula 1 racing’s reputation as a greenhouse gas-spewing monster needs reassessment. While of course being no angel, F1 has been at the forefront of automotive innovations and has developed numerous technologies that have mitigated or will in future mitigate global CO2 emissions.

As per media reports F1 produces 256 KT of C02 each year. But interestingly almost 73% of carbon emissions is attributable to transporting equipment, by land, air, or sea, from one venue to another 23 times a year. Only 0.7% of the emissions come directly from racing. This makes F1’s “net-zero by 2030” claim implausible.

Formula 1's greenhouse gas reputation needs reassessment. It fosters innovations to reduce emissions, but 73% is from racing logistics and only 0.7% comes from the actual races.

But I am not writing this piece to defend F1 or its net-zero claims. I want to highlight that F1’s technology is not limited to the 23 Grand Prix and the 20-odd cars on the grid. It goes beyond racing to make a meaningful positive difference to society.

F1 teams are a training ground for the best automotive engineers in the world. Just like the speeds clocked by F1 cars, these engineers need to deliver improvements in engine technology at a rapid pace.

Let us look at some such innovations that have much broader implications in combating climate change.

Kinetic energy recovery system or KERS technology, introduced in 2009, transforms the kinetic energy lost while braking a car, into electrical energy. It is now standard in hybrid cars and buses, making them greener.

F1’s Net-Zero by 2030 goal seems unlikely, yet its technology benefits society as we see the same advancements become a standard in eco-friendly hybrid cars and buses.

The current V6 turbo-hybrid power unit is the “most efficient engine on the planet”, as per F1. It produces 20% more power compared to the 2013 vintage V8 yet it emits 26% less CO2.?The thermal efficiency of this engine is an incredible 50%. The erstwhile V8 engine achieved a max efficiency of 29% in 2013. In a span of 7 years, engine efficiency jumped to 50%!

F1 is in a race against time for technology improvements. While this technology is too expensive to become mainstream just yet but eventually it will trickle down to consumer vehicles just like KERS technology did. I am reasonably sure, regardless of which car you drive you are using one of the many F1 inventions pertaining to safety, engine, navigation, materials etc.

The next major challenge for the speed and efficiency-obsessed engineers of F1 is the use of 100% sustainable fuels by 2026. These sustainable fuels will be designed to work with standard engines. I cannot imagine sustainable fuels getting a more conducive environment for success than by being mandated for use in white hot F1 battleground. And why is this important to the world? Even with the most optimistic view, it will be hard for EVs to replace all the cars out there. And while we are on EVs, Formula E cannot be and need not be a substitute for F1. (Out of 256 KT annual carbon emissions from F1, car racing contributes only 0.7%).

As per McKinsey, F1 teams are using AI and machine learning for process innovation. They use digital twins to fine-tune, for e.g., the aerodynamics of the car and then manufacture the new improved carbon fiber component and install it in the car for the next race. It is common for F1 drivers to drive a new version of the car in every race. This process innovation, which is becoming popular in manufacturing, results in continuous improvement in any car’s performance efficiency which means a continuous reduction in carbon emissions.

From developing car engines that emit less CO2 to targets of adopting 100% sustainable fuels by 2026, F1's pursuit of rapid automotive technology improvements definitely showcases a responsibility for a greener future.

So, what drives this maniacal focus on rapid automotive technology improvements in F1? Apart from the need for speed, there are safety rules which do not allow F1 cars to refuel during a race. The regulations also restrict the weight of fuel to 110 Kg. This is working towards aligning the mutually contradictory objectives of speed and efficiency pushing the envelope of engineering and promising a future of green transportation.

To all you climate warriors plus F1 lovers out there – well you can also be proud of being an F1 fan.