The Chevrolet Blazer EV.R NASCAR prototype was introduced at last weekend’s Daytona 500 as pace car with impressive performance and technology in a world where V8s rule. This is just one of the stories covered in this week’s edition of the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup. I also have sustainable motorsport news from Ferrari and Alpine, a look at the sustainability strategy of the World Rally Championship and more.
Sustainable Motorsport News
Leading the pack as the new Daytona 500 Pace Car last weekend was Chevrolet’s Blazer EV.R NASCAR prototype. The prototype delivers over 1,300hp from three six-phase electric motors that rev to 15,000 rpm, powered by a 78kWh liquid-cooled battery.
“While we will continue to race our proven and winning V8 technology in NASCAR for years to come, we continually look for ways to improve the combination of power, durability, and efficiency to transfer learnings from the racetrack to the showroom, especially as we bolster Chevy’s consumer EV lineup,” Eric Warren, executive director of global motorsports competition for General Motors, said in a press release.
Ambipar, a global leader in environmental solutions, has announced its partnership with Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team as an Official Sustainability Partner. This collaboration, formed on the basis of a rigorous process, unites two global leaders committed to advancing sustainability.
As an innovator in environmental solutions, Ambipar specializes in decarbonization, circular economy initiatives, energy transition, and environmental regeneration. Meanwhile, Ferrari has pledged to reduce emissions, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. This commitment to reducing emissions is a significant part of Ferrari’s sustainability efforts and a key aspect of its partnership with Ambipar. More details on the partnership can be found here.
BWT Alpine Formula One Team and Eni have announced the return of Eni to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, as the Italian company becomes the team’s Official Energy and Fuel Partner on a multi-year agreement.
Claudio Descalzi, Chief Executive Officer of Eni: “Today we have signed a significant agreement allowing Eni and Renault Group to combine the industrial standing and technological leadership that the two companies represent in their respective sectors with the aim of opening new paths of development in areas fundamental to sustainable transport. The introduction of bio-gasoline testing through BWT Alpine Formula One Team is equally important as it reflects F1’s continuous pursuit of absolute technological excellence in engine development and performance.”
More details can be found here.
Sustainable Motorsport Tech
Maja Czarzasty-Zybert looks at the impact of renewable energy on the future of motorsport and mobility.
Motorsport has always been at the cutting edge of technological progress. From the roaring combustion engines of the early 20th century to the high-performance hybrid systems of today, racing has been a testbed for innovations that later shape the wider automotive industry. However, as the world shifts towards sustainability, the question arises: can motorsport, a field so deeply rooted in speed, competition, and power, truly embrace renewable energy?
Read her answer to her question here.
Sustainable Racing
In a fascinating read on Autosport Plus, Stephen Lickorish and Paul Lawrence look at what national motorsport in the UK may look like in 10 and even 20 years from now.
But, just because the picture is alarmingly murky, it should not stop us from gazing into the future. “My role is to look forward,” affirms Greg Graham, the British Racing & Sports Car Club’s head of formulae development, whose job is to develop new series. “If you only do the same thing every year, you’re always going to get the same results.”
Read what they have to say here.
Series News
Cian Brittle of BlackBook Motorsport takes an in-depth look at the impact of the FIA World Rally Championship’s sustainability strategy.
WRC’s transition is what makes its progress particularly impressive, especially since the championship is so proactive with how it approaches sustainability. At last year’s Beyond Rally Forum in Portugal, produced by SportsPro, WRC launched its Sustainability Roadbook outlining the series’ ambitions for the future, as well as guidelines to follow.
Read his full analysis here.
Formula E finally launched their long-delayed Pit Boost technology last week and the verdict is in. Here is a roundup of what the pundits thought.
- The verdict on Formula E’s Pit Boost delayed debut (Autosport)
- Formula E’s new Pit Boost adds another layer of unpredictability (RACER)
- Formula E’s Pit Boost debut receives mixed response from drivers (Autosport)
Japan Racing Insider wonders whether new tires could lead to a major Super Formula shakeup in 2025.
This year, the spotlight is back on the tires. Sole supplier Yokohama has been busy working on new specification featuring a higher percentage of renewable materials than before, which was revealed to be 46% during Super Formula’s pre-season press conference earlier this week (exceeding the original target for 2025 of 35%).
Read the complete article here.
Getting to the Track Sustainably
- The BMW Vision Driving Experience Concept Previews Radical Performance EVs to Come (Road & Track)
- BMW R&D boss: Bigger batteries in EVs “don’t make sense” (Green Car Reports)
- Toyota Develops New Hydrogen Fuel Cell System (Toyota)
- “The electric car is one of the solutions, but not the only one.” – FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem (Le Figaro)
- Aston Martin CEO Says Some Customers Hate EVs With a ‘Deep-Rooted Passion’ (Robb Report)
- Hyundai and Kia are working on structural battery packs (Green Car Reports)
- Stellantis working on tires made from eggshells (Green Car Reports)
- Wizz Air completes operational SAF trial, as survey shows limited passenger awareness of SAF (Green Air News)
- Analysis: UK would need forest ‘twice size of London’ to offset new airport expansion (Carbon Brief)
- Ammonia Proposed as Fuel Source for Airport and Aircraft Power (AIN)
- How air cargo is moving toward net-zero emissions by 2050 (Stat Times)
- The Future of Air Cargo: Navigating the Path to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) (Air Cargo Conference)
- ICAO formalises global investment hub for aviation sustainability and cleaner fuel projects (Green Air News)
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a 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.
