F1 goes green; cuts down on carbon footprint
The high-octane sport has always received the brunt of criticisms for its gas-guzzling image. And with Formula One racecars that could reach up to 220 mph, backed with engines that rev up to 18,000 rpm, you can’t really blame the skeptics.
But in an effort to transform its image, the sport has embarked on a campaign that aims to cut its carbon footprint. To achieve this, the Formula One Teams’ Association (FOTA) committed to reduce emissions by 12.4 percent over the next three years.
The environmental research organization Trucost has played a major part in analysis and has helped the FOTA determine how to shift its image to a more environmentally-conscious one.
Trucost’s studies revealed that the fuel used during Grand Prix and testing accounted for only 0.3 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.
Unexpectedly, majority of the teams’ greenhouse gas emissions came from production and supply of parts and raw materials.
As such, it was determined that emissions could be reduced in the areas of electricity consumption, operational fuel use, and parts and raw materials.
Possible engine restructuring
FOTA Chairman Martin Whitmarsh was pleased with the findings and expressed his enthusiasm on the campaign.
“FOTA has committed to the continuation of this program,” Whitmarsh said, adding that the “FIA and FOTA are already working together to tailor the 2013 technical regulations to ensuring that all engines and powertrains used in Formula One by that date will showcase, and provide a platform for the ongoing development of, technologies designed to enhance fuel efficiency.”
On the average, a Formula One racer—on a 2.4 liter engine—consumes approximately 160 kilograms of petrol per race. By 2014, however, this figure could go as low as 80 kilograms, factoring in a restructured engine that could be cut down in size to 1.5 liters.
With the heightened awareness and enthusiasm on going green, the carbon reduction goal set by Formula One might also have an impact on mainstream vehicles.
This is a possibility because the emissions reduction scheme could influence motor racing engines to offer twice the energy efficiency of current production models.
This would possibly result from a tie-up between FOTA and Formula One engine makers and would involve monitoring each car’s fuel consumption levels.
Apart from this, the Formula One season could be altered to take regional events closer to each other, thus minimizing associated travel emissions.
As the talk on environmentally-friendly technology continues to brew, the innovative Formula 3 car that was virtually shunned in 2009 is starting to make more and more sense.
Manufactured by the U.K.-based WorldFirst team, the ecoF3 is a racing car that incorporates organic food materials into its construction.
With a steering wheel manufactured from carrots, a driver’s seat from soybeans and a body frame made from potatoes, ecoF3’s concept of being eco-friendly may have seemed far-fetched at that time.
Its biodiesel engine, after all, was poised to run on an vegetable oil and chocolate, an innovation that can literally change the future of formula one races.
For its chassis, the WorldFirst team based it on the standard Lola design. Tests conducted by WorldFirst showed that the ecoF3 is capable of speeds of up to 145 mph.
With all the technological advancement and the renewed ethusiasm to go with it, this is truly a special time for a sport that, for years, has received criticisms especially from the environmental quarters.
It is only a matter of time before “green-racing” becomes the norm and FOTA Chairman Martin Whitmarsh seems to agree: “This is a very exciting time for Formula One, and I am delighted that our sport has been able to take a global environmental lead in this way.”
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