Racing Towards Green: How Formula 1 Is Embracing Sustainability

A couple of years ago, I was introduced to Formula 1 racing and, surprisingly to me, I really enjoyed it. As I watch the races, though, it’s always in the back of my mind that it isn’t the most environmentally friendly sport. So, while motorsports and sustainability don’t normally go hand in hand, Formula 1 is taking some interesting steps in 2026 to make their sport greener. It won’t be perfect, but it is good to hear that they are paying attention and are taking steps to improve the sustainability of Formula 1 and motorsports.

This post is a part of our Climate Change Collective conversations. We’re excited to be starting off the group’s conversation this month with the topic of professional sports. Learn more about the Climate Change Collective below.

How Formula 1 Is Embracing Sustainability

Formula 1 motor racing brings to mind images of fancy cars, roaring engines, and speed, along with large environmental impacts. Sustainable initiatives are not what would be top of mind for me when I think of the sport, yet today, Formula 1 is actively working towards being forward thinking in their sustainable innovation.

Here are five ways that Formula 1 is embracing sustainability:

1. A Net Zero Target by 2030

In 2019, Formula 1 unveiled its first formal sustainability strategy, with a goal to become a Net Zero Carbon sport by 2030. Since this strategy was released, the sport has been seeking to systematically reduce emissions across factories, travel & logistics, race events, and car operations.

As of the end of 2024, F1 has reported its carbon footprint has been cut by 26% relative to its 2018 baseline. This means they are over halfway towards achieving their target of a minimum 50% emissions reduction. What is more impressive is that this has been done while the sport has been growing–the number of races per year has increased, the fan attendance has grown, and yet emissions have still gone down.

While setting targets don’t always lead to change (governments, we see you) in this case Formula 1 has truly stepped up to the plate and delivered change in a number of areas.

2. Hybrid Engines

Long before its sustainability announcement, F1 transitioned to hybrid power units, combining internal combustion engines (ICE) with electric energy recovery systems. That’s all far above my level of engine knowledge, but what I do see in the races is that these battery plus fuel engines are remarkably powerful. F1 believes that their breakthroughs in technology will have a wider impact on other transportation as well and that feels like a valid argument to me. It is such an intense testing ground for any car part and technology that it can only provide valuable information for other sectors as well.

3. Sustainable Fuel

Currently, F1 cars run on a fuel blend with 10% ethanol biofuel, but this is about to change in 2026. Probably the most fascinating part of how Formula 1 is embracing sustainability is their creation of a 100% sustainable fuel which will be mandatory for their 2026 season.

Called a “drop-in” fuel because it can be used in regular cars and gas station pumps without modifications, this new fuel is made from sustainable sources, such as non-food bio sources, genuine waste sources, and carbon extracted from the air. This fuel will be carbon neutral because the carbon captured during production and the carbon produced during use balances out.

With this new fuel’s potential for being used in existing fuel-powered vehicles without major modifications, the future implications for the transportation industry is huge. If the projections are correct, by 2030 there will be 2-billion cars on the road with only 8% being Battery Electric Vehicles. While fuel powered vehicles may be on the way out, there are a number of years before this will fully happen. Formula 1 is not only transforming motorsport, but having a potentially huge impact on transportation in general.

While the rest of the world is still catching up, in 2026 there will be no new fossil carbon burned on the Formula 1 racetrack.

4. Cleaner Race Operations & Logistics

While the cars are the spectacle, the bulk of F1’s emissions will actually come from logistics, travel, and event operations.

Here are some of the ways Formula 1 is embracing sustainability in these areas:

• Logistics & Freight: In Europe, much of F1’s equipment is now transported using biofuel-powered trucks and freight containers have been redesigned to enable more efficient aircraft to be used in transporation.
• Air Travel : F1 has invested significantly in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to lower emissions tied to team and freight air travel. The overall race schedule has also been rearranged to reduce travel distances and make the calendar a more sustainable one.
• Remote Broadcasting: F1 has increased their remote broadcasting operations, which reduces the number of staff and the amount of freight that needs to be transported overseas.
• Factories & Facilities: Emissions from F1’s and team factories and facilities have dropped by 59%, as of 2024 year end, through the switch to renewable energy and efficiency upgrades. As of 2022, F1 offices were run on 100% renewable energy.

Together, these changes have generated meaningful reductions in emissions from travel, logistics, freight, and event operations.

5. Greening Race Venues

Formula 1 is embracing sustainability at the race circuits and venues as well.

Many tracks are investing in:

1. Solar installations and renewable energy;
2. Eliminating single use plastics (I love seeing those drivers drinking from glass water bottles!);
3. Recycling and composting programs;
4. Promoting greener ways to travel to races.

F1 aims for “every race to qualify as an F1 sustainable spectacle” and, while there are still steps to be taken, there is clear progress being made. (F1 Sustainability Strategy)

The Sustainability of F1

It’s clear that Formula 1 is making large steps towards net zero targets and that the sport is embracing sustainability at every level. The innovative solutions that have been introduced are impressive to say the least, but a sport that centers on racing cars and world travel should be doing nothing short of that.

Climate Change Collective

This post is a part of our Climate Change Collective conversations.

The Climate Change Collective was born out of an exchange that took place between Michelle and Jamie in the comments section of a Jamie Ad Stories blog post. Jamie and Michelle both care deeply about the impact of human activity on our planet and wanted to find a way to keep the climate change message top of mind for everyone. A tweet was sent out, bloggers responded, and we’ve all now teamed up to create the Climate Change Collective! Learn more about the bloggers behind this group in our post introducing everyone: Get to Know our 5 Fantastic Climate Change Collective Bloggers.

The idea is simple. The members of the collective will take turns writing a monthly blog post sharing their concerns and unique perspective about climate change. After the post is published, the rest of the group will keep the conversation going by sharing a link to the post on their blogs along with their thoughts and ideas. If you’re a like-minded blogger and would like to join our collective, please get in touch. We are actively looking for more bloggers to join us!

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