Sustainable fuels are a key element in reducing the environmental impact of Formula One racing. During the 2023 European season, the team achieved a 67% reduction in emissions through biofuel use. This year, the Formula 1 team plans to build on that success by extending biofuel usage to power generators and their team motorhome at all European races. The Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks used for transport will also continue to be fueled by HVO100.
HVO100 is a second-generation biofuel that significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions compared to traditional diesel. The team estimates a 90% reduction in CO₂e for every kilometre travelled by their trucks using HVO100. The exact carbon emission savings from these efforts will be calculated and published after the European season concludes.
“Sustainable fuels powering our European season logistics are a key part of our transition plans helping the team and our sport move towards a Net Zero future,” said Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. “We have increased our investment to deliver further efficiencies with the projected emissions reductions reflecting the combined efforts of the team, PETRONAS and our logistics partners.”
Alice Ashpitel, Head of Sustainability for the team, emphasised their commitment to ongoing sustainability efforts. “We aim to be as sustainable as we can in every area of our operations, looking for efficiencies in every aspect of our performance, including the ways we transport the team’s freight and how we power our operations on track.”
PETRONAS is a key partner in this initiative. Datuk Sazali Hamzah, EVP and Chief Executive Officer of PETRONAS Downstream, highlighted the importance of addressing all aspects of motorsport’s environmental footprint. “In addition to working on delivering sustainable fuel for the Formula One cars by 2026, we continue to progress in our efforts to reduce carbon footprint within other parts of the motorsport ecosystem, including travel and logistics.”
The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team is also exploring other avenues for reducing their environmental impact. In 2022, they became the first team to invest in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to lessen emissions from air travel.
The team acknowledges the ongoing learning process involved in achieving environmental sustainability. “Like all industries, we have much to learn,” said Ashpitel. “But as pioneers on the racetrack, we can now apply approaches that have driven performance on the track, such as data driven learning and continuous feedback loops, to help us improve our own environmental footprint and to share best practice, supporting and inspiring others to adopt similar practices.