F1 releases details of new sustainable fuel

Formula 1 has released details about the new, sustainable fuel it is aiming to introduce to the championship over the next few years as the sport looks to the new generation of hybrid power units.

With F1 aiming to achieve a net zero carbon footprint by 2030, introducing a more sustainable fuel is one of the puzzle pieces behind making that a reality.

From 2022, F1 shifts to an 'E10' fuel, this being a mixture of 90 percent fossil fuels and 10 percent ethanol. But when the new Formula 1 engines are introduced, currently planned for 2025, the aim is to have developed a 100 percent sustainable fuel using a lab-created 'drop-in' fuel. This means a fuel that can be used without any architectural changes needed on the Internal Combustion Engine.

According to the update from F1, discussions with fuel companies are well underway about the development of the fuel for Formula 1, as well as expansion for use globally.

"Crucially, the new fuel will also pack a punch worthy of the pinnacle of motorsport, matching the energy density of Formula 1’s current fossil fuel petrols – meaning the cars will be every bit as fast as they are today," read a statement from F1.

"It's estimated that there will be 1.8 billion cars on the road by 2030, with only 8 percent of those pure Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) – while Internal Combustion Engines will continue to be essential to air and sea travel, as well as to the haulage industry.

"By spearheading the development of 100 percent advanced sustainable drop-in fuels, Formula 1 can play its part in making an enormous impact on the global transport sectors' greenhouse gas emissions."

The intention is to create a fuel using components from a carbon capture scheme, municipal waste or non-food biomass, all while achieving greenhouse gas emissions savings relative to fossil-derived petrol of at least 65 percent.

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