Sustainable Motorsport Round-Up for March 26, 2022

This week in the Sustainable Motorsport Round-Up we go to Monaco, get an update on Formula E’s Gen3 car, look at an interesting addition to the Michelin Le Mans Cup grid, highlight the French Grand Prix’s sustainability moves, look at how ESG factors could affect Formula 1’s future, have a look at how Big Daddy Garlits is going electric and much more.

Sustainable Motorsport Round-Up for March 26, 2022
Photo Courtesy of Automobile Club de Monaco
  • In order to avoid a calendar conflict with the Paris Motor Show, the 100% electric & hydrogen version of the Monte-Carlo Rally will take place a week later than originally planned, from Wednesday 26 to Sunday 30 October 2022. E-Rally Monte-Carlo is an authentic regularity road race reserved to 100% Electric Vehicles (excluding any use of range extenders) and 100% Hydrogen-powered cars. Its new name comes back to 2016, following previous editions called “Rally Monte-Carlo for Electric Vehicles” (1995 to 1999), then “Rally Monte-Carlo Fuel Cell & Hybrids” (2005, 2006), Rally Monte-Carlo for Alternative Energy Vehicles (2007 to 2011) and Rally Monte-Carlo for New Energies / Rally Monte-Carlo ZENN (2012 to 2015). This 6th edition of E-Rally Monte-Carlo will be an event of the 2022 FIA eco Rally Cup calendar.
  • The Michelin Le Mans Cup is set for a record full-season grid this year with more than 40 cars signed up for the seven-race campaign which includes the Road to Le Mans in June. Interestingly, Mission H24’s hydrogen-powered, LMP3-based prototype is also entered although the team has not confirmed whether it will take part in any races. The program featured in Michelin Le Mans Cup practice sessions last year as part of ongoing work to explore the potential of hydrogen technology in motorsport.
  • Formula One’s French Grand Prix has been recognized by the FIA as one of motorsport’s leading events when it comes to sustainability. Eric Boullier, managing director of the race promoter, reveals to Blackbook Motorsport the work being done behind the scenes to ensure it retains that status for years to come. “It’s really ground-breaking work because it’s never been done by a Grand Prix organiser,” says Eric Boullier, managing director of the GIP Grand Prix de France – Le Castellet. “We were audited by an independent company appointed by the FIA. Any kind of action you do to commit to sustainability, you have to keep committing to this: to be better, greener and more sustainable.”
  • I mentioned this in yesterday’s Business of Motorsport column but it has direct relevance to sustainable Motorsport. While most of the talk about F1’s relentless drive to expand their calendar focuses on their expansion into the Middle East and the thorny issue of human rights in that region and China, or about the toil it could take on the people that make the show happen, namely the mechanics and support people that have to set up, maintain and take down the show around the world, or even the dilution of the product. But one aspect that is rarely touched upon is how ESG factors could and will influence F1’s expansion. Read more in yesterday’s Business of Motorsport for March 25, 2022-ESG Factors and Formula 1.
Sustainable Motorsport Round-Up for March 26, 2022
  • The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s Gen3 all-electric race car will be unveiled at the Yacht Club de Monaco on 28 April ahead of the 2022 Monaco E-Prix. The Gen3 car, set to race from Season 9, will be presented to manufacturers, teams, drivers, partners and other VIP guests at the evening event. Fans will be able to experience the show via the championship’s digital channels and get a first in-depth look at the latest ground breaking Formula E electric race car. “Formula E’s Gen3 race car represents a leap forward for motorsport and electric mobility,” said Jamie Reigle, Formula E CEO. “Designed to demonstrate that high performance, efficiency and sustainability can be packaged together without compromise, the Gen3 car is our most powerful, lightest, and fastest race car to date. We look forward to finally taking the covers off the Gen3 in Monaco, a location steeped in motor racing history, and seeing the car light up city streets around the world next season.”
Sustainable Motorsport Round-Up for March 26, 2022
Don Garlits Photo by Randall Cannon
  • With Climate Action and Sustainability on the agenda more than ever for businesses across industries with the United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP26 taking place in November last year, Niesslein Sustainability Partners will be continuing their partnership with Ignition Human Performance to tackle Climate Action within Motorsport. IHP and NSP will continue their innovative work, which has seen the setup of IHP: Projects, that launched with the Motorsport industry’s first “Sustainability in Motorsport Questionnaire”. Tristan Niesslein was generous enough to write two very instructive articles for Motorsport Prospects on Sustainability, Partnerships and the Racing Driver. You can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here.
Sustainable Motorsport Round-Up for March 26, 2022
Alpine A4810
  • Finally, check out Alpine’s A4810 hydrogen-powered supercar concept. “The Alpine A4810 project by IED has been a very exciting experience with IED students and lecturers”, added Raphael Linari, Alpine Chief Designer. “The result is a futuristic supercar that explores new territories for the brand in terms of package, proportions, and design language. The different creative approaches of the young talented students combined with IED know-how gave rise to some very interesting responses. Furthermore, the extraordinary final result makes the collaboration a resounding success!”
Mark Boudreau
Author: Mark Boudreau

Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a former lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.