Porsche recently demonstrated the tech crossover between Formula E and their Cayenne EV and this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup looks at how Formula E can influence EV design. I also have more details on the Formula E Gen4 race car and more!
Overview
Sustainable Motorsport News
Why Sebastian Vettel Was at the Brazilian Grand Prix
Four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel may be retired from the sport, but he was back in the paddock at Interlagos to promote his F①REST cause to bring attention to the plight of the rainforests of Brazil.
“Last year I’ve traveled here to see and discover the Amazon rainforest, meet the indigenous people. I was very welcomed to their home. I saw how beautiful it is and how diverse and rich it is, but I also saw how fragile it is and how urgent it is to protect it. Now, this year, I’m coming back. And with F①REST – drawn together, I want all of us to draw a tree.”
Can Sustainability Thrive Alongside Performance?
Alice Ashpitel, Head of Sustainability at the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team both asks and answers a legitimate question when it comes to sustainable motorsport, can sustainability thrive alongside performance? “Should a team have to choose between a critical aerodynamic upgrade and a sustainability initiative that benefits the entire sport? The simple answer is no. Projects that once felt purely aspirational are now a reality and, importantly, demonstrating operational co-benefits like efficiency gains or supply chain resilience.”
Read more at Sector here.
Ferrari AF Corse and Heart of Racing Team Clinch DHL Sustainable Endurance Awards
Ferrari AF Corse and Heart of Racing Team have been recognised for their environmental efforts in the FIA World Endurance Championship this year through the presentation of the DHL Sustainable Endurance Award.
Introduced in 2023, the annual accolade celebrates tangible progress in sustainability and social responsibility within FIA WEC, with teams evaluated across six key criteria – Sustainability Strategy, Environmental Commitment, Responsible Economy, Social Commitment, Communication and Carbon Footprint.
Read all the details at the WEC website here.
FIA Locks in Regulations for Introduction of Electric Karting
The FIA is closer to introducing its own senior and junior electric karting classes after having technical and homologation regulations approved by the World Motor Sport Council last month.
For the steps above it in the karting ladder, it has now produced the paperwork that determines what parameters drivetrain system providers should operate in, what voltage and weight limits will be set, and perhaps most importantly how much powertrain integration will be required in design so the new technology can go into old karts with adaptation.
Read more at Formula Scout here.
Sustainable Motorsport Tech
Porsche Details Tech Crossover Between Formula E and Road-Going Cayenne Electric
Formula E often positions itself as a proving ground for electric road car development, something Porsche is proving with its new Cayenne Electric.
The SUV features a number of developments stemming directly from the brand’s championship-winning participation in Formula E, with the car developed at Porsche’s development center in Weissach, Germany where the development teams from the motorsport and road car divisions work together under the same roof.
“Formula E is our development lab for the electromobility of tomorrow. This is where we gain valuable insights for our road-going sports cars,” said Dr Michael Steiner, member of the board of management for research and development at Porsche. “The new Cayenne Electric shows how quickly such a technology transfer takes place at Porsche and how relevant our commitment to the electric racing series is to series production.”
Here are a few more articles that detail the intersection of Formula E and road EVs:
- Is Formula E’s New GEN4 Car the Future of Road EVs? (Sustainability Magazine)
- How will Formula E’s New GEN4 Car Influence Road EVs? (EV Magazine)
More Details on the Gen4 Formula E Race Car
Last week I featured the announcement of the new, much more powerful Formula E Gen4 race car. This week I have a number of articles looking at the car in more depth.
- FACT SHEET: All you need to know about the GEN4 car (Formula E)
- Gen4 Formula E Race Car — More Power In A More Sustainable Package (CleanTechica)
- Photos: This Gen4 Formula E car is faster than F1, goes 0-60 in just 1.8 seconds (Interesting Engineering)
Extreme H’s Ali Russell on the Evolution of Motorsport from Electric to Hydrogen
Motorsport has a new frontier and it is the FIA Extreme H World Cup, where hydrogen fuel is taking centre stage in the transition to clean energy. Extreme H is about showcasing cutting edge hydrogen technology in rugged racing environments, while pairing one female and one male driver in every team to drive equality forwards.
“I think we still have a responsibility to connect [with our fans] more often and we have a 365 approach to storytelling. So what’s going on with our technology, how that technology is developing and storytelling around that. What’s going on with what we call accessibility, which is not just the female drivers and developing the female drivers and telling their stories, but also the mechanics and people behind the scenes in terms of that diversity within our sport.”
Read more here.
Mazda Has a Carbon-Capture Exhaust Concept That Could Eliminate Car Emissions
Mazda has a creative idea for algae-based biofuel and an exhaust system that, theoretically, could turn gas-burning cars carbon negative. As in, not just running with reduced emissions, but actually capturing more carbon than the process creates. The special exhaust is kind of like a diaper, sopping up CO2 as it farts its way out of the engine, washing out the CO2 emitted in the making of biofuel. At least, in theory. Check out The Drive for all the details.
Series News
MotoE x Michelin: 7 Seasons of Innovation & Sustainable Performance
For seven seasons, Michelin has used MotoE as a true technological lab, developing tires with up to 57% renewable and recycled materials. As the series ends, its legacy of innovation continues, shaping the future of endurance and road tires. Hear what the riders say about performance, technology, and sustainability on track.
Formula E Unveils Gen4 Car as Testing Ramps Up
The FIA Formula E World Championship has unveiled its Gen4 car which is due to make its debut in the 2026-27 season and testing has already begun. The Gen4 concept has been under development for many years, while testing of a mule chassis started in the spring of 2025.
“This was to validate the spec components, such as the Podium Advanced Technologies battery and the Marelli front powertrain / MGU. By August, the mule had done more than 4000km. The FIA is now moving on to the next stage of the test program, involving the powertrain manufacturers and getting them acquainted with the platform. Manufacturers will be able to develop the rear powertrain of the Gen4 car, which continues Formula E’s theme of a spec chassis, front powertrain and battery.”
CTCC Completes First Four-Car ETCR Races at Zhuzhou
China Touring Car Championship promoter Lisheng Sports completed a first race weekend with the relaunched all-electric ETCR concept during the joint FIA TCR World Tour/TCR Asia race weekend at Zhuzhou in China.
A total of four cars took part in the two races, including the Dongfeng eπ 007 model, which was showcased at Zhuzhou last year, and two newly constructed SAIC Volkswagen ID.3 race cars.
Touring Car Times has more details.
Tom Brady–Backed E1 Boat Racing Series Makes U.S. Debut
Last weekend in Miami marked the final race of the second season of E1, the electric boat racing series. It launched last year with a five-race season in 2024 across Saudi Arabia, Italy, Spain, and Monaco; Friday’s and Saturday’s races were the first in U.S. waters. Front Office Sports has all the details.
Getting to the Track Sustainably
Virgin Trains Set to Derail Eurostar’s Cross-Channel Monopoly
The UK rail regulator has given Virgin Trains the green light to use Temple Mills Eurostar maintenance facility in Stratford, East London as it challenges Eurostar’s cross-channel monopoly.
“The victor is Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, which will resurrect its Virgin Trains brand, aiming to launch in 2030. Branson has promised to bring the Virgin pizzazz to the Channel Tunnel rail route and will doubtless use the splendour of the London St Pancras terminal to do so, particularly for business class passengers.”
Read more at Business Traveler here.
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects and the host of the Motorsport Prospects Podcast. 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.
