Race to 0: Formula 1’s Emissions Problem
Formula 1, often regarded as the greatest motorsports series of all time, is considered to be the epitome of engineering and a place where top drivers compete for glory. However, concerns were raised regarding the sports’ environmental impact even the drivers have expressed concerns about this.
Earlier this year, Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel was invited onto BBC Question Time as a guest to talk about energy use in Europe. When asked whether talking about energy use on a TV show while racing in a gas-guzzling race car was slightly hypocritical, he answered:
“You are right. There are questions I ask myself every day. I’m not a saint. I’m very concerned when it comes to the future. When I get out of the car, of course, I’m thinking as well: ‘Is this something we should do, travel the world, wasting resources?’”
This answer intrigued me. I hadn’t looked up anything about the sport’s environmental impact despite having followed it since 2016. So, this begs the question: is Formula 1 really as damaging to the environment as we often brand it to be?
For starters, we can look at the carbon footprint of the sport. In many aspects of the sport, large quantities of fossil fuels are used, generating approximately 256,000 tonnes according to a 2019 report. A significant chunk of this is generated from logistics, which involves transporting equipment and team personnel to the races.
With races being held across 6 continents and 22 separate locations, teams use many forms of transport to get around, generating a whopping 116,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. However, this cannot be reduced significantly now, as technology for electrically powered planes and trucks are still in its infancy, while the switch to renewables is a gradual process that will take years to accomplish.
Sectors such as business travel (accommodation, commute to work for team members, etc.) and the operation of facilities (offices and factories) also create significant amounts of waste. Reducing this waste is also challenging because most of the power used for these processes is generated using non-renewable resources. Some of the countries the F1 circus visits are incredibly reliant on fossil fuels, including gas giants such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. In addition to that, 7 of the 10 teams have their base of operations in the UK, and approximately 41% of the UK’s electricity is generated using fossil fuels.
Surprisingly enough, cars only produce 0.7% of the carbon emissions produced by the sport per year. Producing approximately 1,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide, this is less than the emissions produced by a Jumbo jet per trip. This can be attributed to the switch from 2.4-litre normally-aspirated engines to smaller 1.6-liter turbocharged engines, which are coupled with an MGU-K and an MGU-H unit to achieve up to 50% thermal efficiency.
For comparison, this is roughly 10% more than most modern gasoline-powered engines, reducing the amount of waste produced. However, a switch to full electric will not be possible soon, as Formula E has exclusivity with the Federation Internationale de Automobile (FIA) as the only electric single-seater racing series until 2039.
As a result of the emissions produced, Formula One Management is attempting to take steps toward a sustainable future by setting new regulations and goals to reduce the amount of waste created. One of these measures is the transition to 100% renewable energy at all Formula 1-related manufacturing plants and testing facilities.
However, is this just a bunch of marketing baloney that the FOM is throwing at us to make us feel better about watching a gas-powered sport? On 16th July 2022, the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund PIF (which also happens to own Saudi Aramco, one of the world’s largest oil companies) purchased a 16.7% stake in the Aston Martin group, which currently runs a Formula 1 team that they already sponsor. Many billboards with the Aramco logo splashed across them can also be frequently seen in F1 races. Ironically, Sebastian Vettel, an advocate for climate change in F1, races for the Aston Martin racing team.
So, is Formula One racing that bad for the environment? The simple answer is no, but it is not sunny skies ahead for the sport anyways. Only time can tell us if the sport can reduce carbon emissions as the grid switches from fossil fuels to renewables. However, the influx of “oil money” is going to continue, as money is king in sports. Formula 1 is a business, and ad revenue helps it stay afloat and thrive. Unless something is done to prevent it from happening, fossil fuel companies will continue to influence the sport, and Formula 1 can never shake off its dirty image as a big polluter.
By: Brian Lo
