The FIA has revealed that F1's engine manufacturers have received their first barrels of sustainable fuel as the sport seeks to become carbon neutral from 2021 and net zero by 2030.

Based on a science-based target reduction plan aligned with the Paris Agreement 1,5 degree C objective, the commitment builds on the FIA's increasing efforts to reduce the environmental impact of motor sport and mobility by setting clear goals to accelerate this progress.

One of the most significant steps to achieving this goal has been the research, development, and production by the FIA's Technical Department of a 100 % sustainable fuel, developed to stringent F1 specifications, able to power F1 cars.

As a second-generation biofuel variety, meaning it is exclusively refined using bio-waste, not intended for human or animal consumption, the first barrels are now with F1's power unit manufacturers for testing and validation.

The objective is to demonstrate the technology works and to lead F1 suppliers to develop their own fuels, with the mandatory requirement of 100% sustainable fuels in F1 targeted by the introduction of the new powertrain architecture.

From 2021, other FIA championships, such as the European Truck Racing Championship, will also be able to use sustainable fuel.

"The FIA takes its responsibility in leading motor sport and mobility into a low carbon future to reduce the environmental impacts of our activities and contribute to a greener planet," said Jean Todt after the FIA approved the ambitious environmental strategy plan. "I'm glad that our Members Clubs approve our environmental strategy that is part of the Purpose Driven initiative focused on the societal contribution of our two pillars. By developing fuel made from bio waste that can power Formula 1, we are taking a new step forward. With the support of the world's leading energy companies, we can combine the best technological and environmental performance."

"The Environmental Strategy approved during the General Assembly week is key in consolidating FIA's commitment to a low-carbon future," added Felipe Calderon, Chairman of the FIA Environment and Sustainability Commission. "It will not only engage in a wide organisational effort to measure, reduce, offset and remove the emissions that result from its own activities -becoming carbon neutral from 2021 and net zero by 2030.

"The FIA will also take a leadership role, among other sports federations, in pushing for global climate action. This new strategy provides a whole framework to support its members in becoming more sustainable and build climate leadership themselves."

"Formula 1 has long served as platform for introducing next generation advancements in the automotive world," said Ross Brawn. "We are delighted by the momentum on sustainable fuels which perfectly aligns with our plan to be net zero carbon as a sport by 2030.

"Our top sustainability priority now is building a roadmap for the hybrid engine that reduces emissions and has a real world benefit for road cars. We believe we have the opportunity to do that with a next generation engine that combines hybrid technology with sustainable fuels."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by trackrecords, 22/12/2020 18:51

"The jelly-like napalm stuff they ran on in the mid-80s nearly stripped the lining off the inside of your nostrils when you went near the Ferrari pits, like radioactive garlic. It was still around inside the garage the next weekend - whatever token gesture they make with 'green' fuels will never equal-out the damage that stuff did to the atmosphere."

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2. Posted by trackrecords, 22/12/2020 18:40

"Liberty buy F1 and talk it - now they want to run cars on it..."

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3. Posted by NS Biker, 21/12/2020 3:54

"There have been a number of different "fuel regulations" in F1 going back to commercially available Pump Gasoline to the rather open Turbo era, with mostly Toluene and a dash of diesel. When it was open season on fuels, some were mixing exotic (read as expensive) blends that were clearly not sustainable.
With nearly all teams having Petro-Sponsors or at least alliances with them, there will be resistance to a common fuel supplier as with Tyres.
The description of what F1 has just done seems to be to motivate and demonstrate to the teams that "sustainable" fuels can be made. This was never in question for those with any background in refining or bio-processing. You name it and it can be produced by "sustainable" bio means. Anything or at least a suitable facsimile of whatever you want. Didn't say it would be cheap or efficient, but it can be done.
About 5 years ago, the FIA changed the rules on fuel composition and they "allowed" a certain bio component blend. A Pandora's Box scenario as you can now create all manner of exotic bio components.
The FIA is not yet restricting fuels to a single supplier as the have with Tyres, but you can bet that they are considering it.
Current rules, Technical Regulations, Article 16.
https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/2021_formula_1_technical_regulations_-_2019-10-31.pdf
"

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4. Posted by Spindoctor, 20/12/2020 8:35

"Spaceship Earth can do with all the help she can get to prevent disaster, but "sustainable fuel" strikes me as absolute tokenism.
F1 is not, nor can it ever be in any way "green". @Lapps points-out that simply moving vast tonnages of cars, personnel & equipment around the world burns huge quantities of hydrocarbons and releasees tonnes of CO2 & pollutants for each race.
Despite this F1 makes an insignificant contribution to global pollution & Climate Change. "

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5. Posted by Lapps, 19/12/2020 13:52

"Now let's see, a F1 Car starts a Race with about 100kg of fuel. So 20 Cars totals 2000kg (2 tonnes). Multiply this by 2 to cover Practice and we need 4 tonnes of fuel for the whole Field.
A single 747-400 burns 10 tonnes PER HOUR. Flight time to (say) Australia (including return) is about 36 hours, so 360 tonnes per aircraft! How many aircraft are involved in moving F1 about? Must be at least 5 or 6.
Whatever the number of aircraft it is obvious that 'greening' the fuel used by the cars is inconsequential and nothing more than PR Spin. Pity that. Hope this PR driven change doesn't damage our favourite sport further."

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6. Posted by elsiebc, 19/12/2020 7:46

""Formula 1 has long served as platform for introducing next generation advancements in the automotive world." And hidden in there is the problem. Yes, F1 brought many advancements. But they were made by capitalistic innovations, each team seeking to better itself. Now the FIA bureaucracy takes credit and believes it can legislate those advancements going forward, all the while producing such exciting racing that I have to nap halfway through it. "

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7. Posted by NorthBayGonzo, 18/12/2020 21:44

"using 'caca' to generate a fuel for an increasingly 'caca' series? The irony is rich!"

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8. Posted by SexyLolla, 18/12/2020 12:47 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 18/12/2020 12:50)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

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9. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 18/12/2020 9:32

"V10s and grid girls mmmmmmmmmmm."

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10. Posted by flyinglap, 17/12/2020 20:30

"Excellent, this is a commendable initiative of the FIA, and definitely a move in the right direction for the sport. Ideally, it should be combined with a return to aspirated engines, or at least turbo engines with no rev limit just as they were back in the 80's (and sounded amazing), combined with a small battery and electric motor to be used only in the pitlane. If the fuel is carbon neutral there is no need to aggressively pursue as well kinetic energy recovery and heat energy recovery. In view of cost limitation a production engine block could possibly be mandated, as it was the case for Nelson Piquet's BMW 4-cylinder turbo engine for example. The recipe for an exciting Formula 1 of the future is quite simple: low weight, compact dimensions, high-frequency noise. And, by the way, bring back the grid girls :)"

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11. Posted by BillH, 17/12/2020 17:34 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 18/12/2020 12:50)

"Does anyone know how much energy (often produced using oil / gas / coal) it takes to make these "sustainable" fuels?

I mean, will this be the same situation as those smug Leaf drivers that don't realise there is about 100bbl of oil required to make an EV?

For the amount of fuel that all types of motorsport uses, one would think that the manufacturers would focus on the general vehicle fleets and leave racing to be fast, and loud."

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12. Posted by F1 Yank, 17/12/2020 17:28 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 18/12/2020 12:50)

"I really agree with Lapps and Mtrspt fan on this one! Although currently the PU formula is pretty amazing, F1 should get back to the V10/KERS format. Granted this would be going backwards, not forwards. Nice comment by Lapps in regards to the engine rpm limit and since the biofuel is more "environmentally friendly" they should cap the engine at 21k or limit the rpms at all! Also details on the fuel should be outlined as to what it actually is, chemically speaking so I can tear my brain apart trying to understand this stuff!"

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13. Posted by Lapps, 17/12/2020 16:03

"The devil is very much in the detail here! What is the calorific value of the new fuel? What weight/volume can the Cars carry? Can the Teams provide their own feedstock or only the additive package?
I would also like the V10s back, but it ain’t gonna happen. So please can we at least have enough fuel in the allocation to take us back to 18,000rpm again?"

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14. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 17/12/2020 15:43

"Forget hybrid, lets get back to a V10 using this fuel."

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Manufacturers receive first barrels of sustainable fuel

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