FORMULA 1 SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY

inated. The bottom five placements are then solidified. Qualifying then goes into Q2, which is 15 minutes long and does the same as Q1 except with places 1115. A Q3 is then raced which is 12 minutes long and will determine the starting 10 of the grid. The driver with the fastest time gets placed at the front of the grid, in what is known as the pole position. This would mean the driver would have to drive a top 15 lap, a top 10 lap time, then finish first in Q3 to win the race. There are no points in qualifying, but a strong starting position is essential for a driver’s performance in the actual race.

Sprint Race

In the rarity that there is a sprint race before the actual race, qualifying only determines the sprint start, and the results of the sprint race determine the start of the actual race. The sprint is raced on the same track as the race is held but will be much shorter with about a third of the laps. This means drivers take more risk, and unlike a typical race, there are no scheduled pit stops. 8 points are awarded to the winner of the sprint, with each place getting one point less than the previous place.

Race Day

You never want to miss David Croft’s iconic line, “Lights out and away we go,” at the beginning of each race, as the start is usually the most eventful and exciting part of the race. With all drivers lined up in two tight columns of 10 when the lights go out, there is usually a lot of action. With 10 rows of cars going head to head, there are intense overtakes, cars going bumper to bumper to fight for positions, and even the occasional multicar crash. The race lasts up to two hours, either finishing at the two-hour mark or if they reach the max threshold of laps, which is typically in the 50 to 70 lap range. Each race is packed with endless amounts of risk-taking and calculating, which will surely keep you on the edge of your seat. Of course, you need to watch the end of the race, which can be packed with the closest matchups––take the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ending for example.

Recently, in 2019, Formula 1 vowed to be completely reliant on renewable energy in the year 2030, with the goal of having a net zero environmental impact. Apart from popular belief, only 0.7% of the emissions that Formula 1 produces come directly from the emissions the cars produce. Many bash the International Automobile Federation (FIA), the federation which oversees Formula 1, for having cars that run on practically the equivalent of jet fuel, which––as you could guess––is not the greenest source of energy, but the roots of their carbon footprint troubles exist elsewhere.

According to Formula 1, they produce an average of 256,000 tonnes of CO2 each year. They also state that 73% of their emissions come from the logistics of setting up and moving race setups at their 23 tracks all across the world. Their sustainability strategy published in 2019 contains a commitment to a net zero impact on the environment, which means there needs to be a lot to change is not all that much time.

“It seems like a daunting task to reduce

19.3%

Facilities And Factories

Emissions from all of Formula 1’s offices and facilities around the world as well as all from each individual team.

admissions from 256,000 to zero in such a short time period but they seem very determined to do so,” Schrage said. “I am most definitely intrigued to see how they put their plan into action.”

Their plan for the year 2030 consists of a net zero emission produced by the actual cars on the track.

Formula 1 also looks to invest in more efficient low-carbon travel arrangements for the upcoming season, as well as 100% renewably powered facilities and factories. Lastly, in their efforts to completely eliminate their carbon emissions globally by 2030, they plan to create CO2 sequestration programs.

With a lofty goal in mind, many speculate whether Formula 1 will be able to fulfill its vows of sustainability.

“While the push for sustainability in formula one involving their carbon neutral initiative is admirable, their actions so far seem rather performative, as they still travel thousands of miles around the globe per year for races, which could be cut down significantly by a more efficient race schedule,” Cameron Phillips (‘23) said.

While there is still time for the FIA and Formula 1 to erase their emissions from the planet in an admirable attempt to be net zero, the racing community hopes to see the sport make strides from a notoriously environmentally antagonistic to a more sustainable and eco-friendly sport.

“I think that F1s movement to become fully carbon neutral by 2030 is exciting and could pave the way for other corporations to follow in their path,” Schrage said.

27.7%

Travel And Transportation

Emissions from all travels, whether in planes or on ground as well as hotels for all employees.

Logistics

256,551

0.7%

Car Power Unit Emissions

Emissions from the fuel used from the cars used in race, training, and testing.

Event Operations

Emissions from the events surrouding the race, like production emission from broadcasting, circuit energy use, and other uses apart from the cars power unit.

TONS

Emissions from moving each individual teams paddock equippement from race to race.

45.0% 7.3%

All information gathered from F1 official sustainability strategy presentation on formula1.com