FIA Single-Seater Technical Director, Nikolas Tombazis has said that Formula 1 will continue to push towards using fuels that are sustainable rather than focusing on developing an electrical power unit. With Formula 1 set for a major paradigm shift in relation to the type of engines the sport will use from 2025 onwards, there have been whispers of possibly switching to an all-electric motor. Tombazis though believes the future of Formula 1 will revolve around sustainable fuels. "It is our belief that fuel is going to remain at the core of mobility for the foreseeable future, and, of course, in its fully sustainable form," Tombazis told RacingNews365.com exclusively. "We want to go fully carbon neutral, and as a result of that we want to move to fully sustainable fuel. The world is going to a more hybrid situation and that should be reflected in Formula 1." Tombazis went on to discuss what some of the other objectives of the proposed overhaul would entail citing a need to keep the racing exciting while also making the sport financially viable for both existing teams and potential entrants. "We want to make the cars more efficient in every way," Tombazis explained. "Meaning that we must keep the costs down at the same time, making it sustainable financially in terms of business models for the teams, whilst at all times keeping racing exciting, and maintaining the passion in the sport. "When you lay out all of these objectives there's no golden ticket solution to satisfy them all easily, so what we are discussing now is where the best compromise is - we're not excluding any technologies, and equally we have not settled on the specific direction we will go towards." The FIA technical director also provided a timeline as to when a decision could potentially be made, factoring in that discussions were already underway with the existing engine suppliers. "What we have given ourselves as a target is to have a good idea of the power unit specification by this summer and a reasonably full definition of the rest of the car during 2022," Tombazis said. "We feel like now is the right time to be having these constructive discussions between the FIA, Formula 1, the teams, power unit manufacturers, and fuel suppliers. There are some major decisions to be taken on fundamental aspects of the car during this process - such as whether we go with two-or four-wheel drive, or whether we want more active aerodynamics. "By having these discussions now, we'll be in a much stronger, cohesive position when these regulations are firmed up and the power units and cars begin to be developed for 2025."
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