Motorsport is looking to become more environmentally friendly. Formula 1 has lowered its carbon footprint by 13% since 2018, and the FIA is looking to introduce sustainable fuels for the 2026 season.
However, the Formula 3 grid will be using 100% sustainable fuels first, from the 2025 season. This will be a significant step forward in making the sport net zero carbon by 2030.
Formula 3 to adapt engines for sustainable fuels
The decision to change the fuel to 100% sustainable is a great step for the environment. However, it did mean the engines needed to be adapted to work with sustainable fuels. Sustainable means the fuel is made of renewable materials such as plants or vegetables, meaning the current engines wouldn’t have worked.
F3 Technical Director Pierre-Alain Michot explained: “This year’s engine is an upgrade from 2024. We’ve made some modifications to the electronics side to accommodate the Aramco Advanced fuel meeting the FIA 100% sustainable fuel standard. Engine performance will be the same as per previous seasons.”
F2 and F3 will use our first sustainable fuel from 2023 ♻️
A key milestone on our journey to use 100% sustainable fuel by 2026 and for the sport to become net zero carbon by 2030#F1 @Aramco pic.twitter.com/92catFiD2d
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 2, 2022
In the previous two seasons, Formula 3 has been using 55% sustainable fuels. The jump to 100% was previously cited to be for the 2026 season. This jump to fully sustainable fuel will be a test for Formula 1, which plans on using this fuel by the 2026 season.
What has Formula 1 done to become more environmentally friendly?
Formula 1 is currently using 55% sustainable fuels, with the change to 100% set to be introduced in 2026. The sport already uses biofuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil to reduce the use of fossil fuels. The hybrid engines F1 cars use reduce fuel consumption, meaning less emissions.
The F1 calendar is also being changed for less travel emissions. The Canadian Grand Prix will be moved to May in 2026, to coincide with the Miami Grand Prix. Canada is normally held in June after a few European races. However, teams will be able to base themselves in Europe after the two North American races, cutting down on long flights.
The Canadian Grand Prix is set to take place in May from 2026 onwards 🇨🇦
With collaboration from the promoter and key stakeholders, the new dates are part of our efforts to rationalise the calendar and make it more sustainable 🤝#F1https://t.co/QpOSR5Jpof
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 18, 2024
The circuits are also doing their bit. The British Grand Prix has been powered by green alternatives since 2023, with solar panels and hydrotreated vegetable oil being used to run the event. Similarly, the Bahrain Grand Prix used an onsite solar panel farm. Meanwhile, the Singapore Grand Prix hopes to be fully reliant on green sources of energy by 2028.
