The ACO has unveiled their hydrogen-powered H24 EVO and I have the details in this week’s edition of the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup. I also have details on new hydrogen and eco-friendly ICE engines being developed, SRO going 100% carbon neutral, and should Formula E be worried about F1’s sustainability push? All this and much more in the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup on Motorsport Prospects. Your source for sustainable high performance motorsport news.
Sustainable Motorsport News
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) have unveiled their new FIM Hospitality unit that is present at all MotoGP races and have specifically highlighted the sustainability characteristics that it incorporates. Highlights include solar panels that create more power than is needed, locally sourced food cooked on premises and the fact that the units do not have to return to FIM headquarters between races. You can read all the details here.
Marcelo Cabalar, Continuousevents Director & Founder stated : “Social responsibility is one of our top priorities. FIM Hospitality is no exception. Twenty-two people worked to build the two units. We have developed that all assembly parts weigh a maximum of 21 kg, and the total setup is completed in 6 hours.”
Isabelle Lariviere, FIM Communications & Hospitality Manager, added, “For the FIM, this centre is of utmost importance to enhance our presence where the action is. It is important to have a comfortable place to receive our guests and our staff, with facilities for working and having meetings that are aligned with our sustainability strategy. We are delighted to present our FIM Hospitality, which is the home of all FIM Families and that will also participate and add value to the FIM Sustainability week.”
The SRO Motorsport Group have announced that their series are operating at 100% carbon neutrality in 2024. “When we began this journey in 2021, we set ourselves ambitious targets,” said Stéphane Ratel, the founder and CEO of SRO Motorsports Group. “Perhaps it seemed a little daunting at the time, but it has helped us to devlop a real commitment to our environmental responsibilities. The work does not end here, of course: not only must we maintain our carbon neutral status, but we will also continue to support positive environmental initiatives both internally and among our partners.”
ETS has been named the fuel supplier for Karting Sprint Senior, Junior and Mini categories as well as for GT, GT Sprint and Touring Car at the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games. ETS will provide a 100% sustainable fuel for Karting categories, and 50% for GT, GT Sprint and Touring Car.
On the latest episode of the Flagrant podcast, UFC CEO Dana White says that his company, Thrill One Sports & Entertainment, which owns properties such as Nitro Circus, Nitrocross, and Street League Skateboarding, is set to do a deal this summer to make an electric NASCAR series a reality.
“We own Nitro Circus, and we own Travis Pastrana’s Nitrocross, which is electric car racing,” White said. “After Fourth of July, I’m flying to NASCAR and we’re doing a deal with NASCAR. We’re going to be the electric series for NASCAR. We’re working on that deal, right now.”
Ford Performance is returning to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, also known as ‘America’s Mountain’, to further its research and development in electric powertrains. The F-150 Lightning SuperTruck will participate in the 102nd running of this event, sponsored by Gran Turismo, in late June.
“The company says the setting provides an ideal testing ground for electric powertrains, enabling it to explore the limits of EV technology in extreme conditions and apply the findings to its production vehicles.”
Goodyear Racing EMEA has been awarded the highest score in the FIA’s Environmental Accreditation program, which the company says reflects its dedication to sustainability in its car and truck racing activities.
The company produces racing tires for these championships at its facilities in Hanau, Germany, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg. Both facilities hold ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications and have been operating with 100% renewable electricity. The Hanau facility also achieved ISCC certification in January 2024.
The tire manufacturer say it aims to convert all its manufacturing operations to renewable energy and replace petroleum-derived oils in its products by 2040. The company also seeks to achieve net-zero value chain greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Formula E has launched a program designed to promote education around environmental and social issues for children. This initiative builds on Formula E’s Better Futures Fund announced in May earlier this year. The dedicated charitable fund supports local causes and communities within each of its host cities, designed to provide an impact directly where the races take place. ‘Driving Force’ will focus on children between the ages of eight and 12 in host cities
Sustainable Motorsport Tech
The Automobile Club de l’Ouest has taken the covers off the latest iteration of its MissionH24 hydrogen concept, known as the H24 EVO. The reveal occurred on the Wednesday ahead of the start of the official 24 Hours of Le Mans practice.
ACO President Pierre Fillon commented: “The H24 was a landmark car in the MissionH24 program since it was the first hydrogen electric prototype to race in Endurance competition, in Michelin Le Mans Cup, linking the finish to each of its engagements. The H24 EVO demonstrates a new step for MissionH24: aligning a hydrogen electric prototype capable of competing with conventional thermal cars. Hydrogen will not be on the track, it will compete on the track.”
Race Engine Suppliers looks in detail at the technical aspects of Bosch Engineering and Ligier Automotive’s hydrogen-powered Ligier JS2 RH2.
“To drive clean energy technologies and sustainability in motorsport, Bosch Engineering and Ligier Automotive have taken their hydrogen-powered demonstrator vehicle to the next level. In recent months, intensive tests have been carried out to test the engine and the entire vehicle for robustness and endurance performance and to further optimize the drive concept. The development and engineering of hydrogen drives for motor sports enable us to bring particularly demanding technologies to the racetrack at an early stage, which can also have road reference. “This gives us an innovative edge in future hydrogen projects, both in motorsport and for high-performance sports cars,” says Dr. Johannes-Jörg Rüger, President Bosch Engineering GmbH.”
Race Engine Suppliers also looks at the power-plant in the Alpine I4 Hydrogen Alpenglow. “Alpine now reports that the Alpenglow has a 2.0 litre I4 turbo developed by Oreca from its GRE rallycross unit with modifications to make it suitable for running on hydrogen. In this guise it has a stated 340 bhp output. However, this car, which will be demonstrated on track at the 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours, is just the first step. Currently in development is a V6-engined version, with that hydrogen engine developed by Alpine itself.”
Olivia Hicks in Formula Flash explains why road relevance is still relevant to Formula 1. “With F1’s sights set on growing American investment and interest, hybrid technology is a safer and more relatable bet. Plus, as IndyCar leans into 100 percent sustainable fuel and delays hybrid plans, F1 is still able to claim an innovator status in the U.S. even if it is just a few steps ahead of the American series.”
Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) is advancing the use of sustainable materials in motorsports at the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 (Indy 500) this year where the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 race tires will feature two monomers derived from the waste residue of palm oil processing. These bio-styrene and butadiene monomers are certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) for transparency and traceability of sustainable raw materials throughout the supply chain.
Additionally, Bridgestone is collaborating with Penske Truck Leasing and IMS to transport all Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires using electric-powered Freightliner eCascadia trucks.
Biofuels News looks at how Mercedes F1 are utilizing biofuels in their operations. “Building on last year’s achievements, we are now expanding the use of HVO100, which represents one of the most feasible solutions and many collaborative efforts to come in powering motorsport closer towards Net Zero whilst showcasing the potential of biofuels to the world’s transportation sector.”
Hyundai gas unveiled their IONIQ 5 N TA (Time Attack) at the Nürburgring 24 Hours that they will be using on their assault of Pikes Peak. “We are thrilled to return to the Nürburgring 24 Hours with drivers from Europe, North America and China, showing the growth of our motorsport program around the world,” said Till Wartenberg, Vice President and Head of N Brand and Motorsport at Hyundai Motor Company. “We are investing in the future of motorsport with our first ever electric Pikes Peak racer and collaboration with Gran Turismo. Motorsport passion continues to be at Hyundai N’s core as we move into the future.”
The 687 PS IONIQ 5 N TA Spec is designed to highlight the production-spec IONIQ 5 N’s strengths without fundamentally altering the car. Notably, the production IONIQ 5 N’s standard high-performance power electric (PE) system is carried over. The IONIQ 5 N TA Spec’s maximum output has been increased through software tuning to maximize performance. This was implemented by increasing the output of the rear motor by 37 horsepower (27 kW).
The July issues of Race Tech and Racecar Engineering are now available to purchase.
In the latest issue of Race Tech they look at how plug-in Hybrid H2 Motorsport’s development of hydrogen technology and electrification can play a major role in shaping the future of road cars. Bernard Niclot, president of Win Innovation, explains how. You can buy the issue here.
In Racecar Engineering meanwhile they look at the challenges of implementing hydrogen. You can buy the issue here.
The motorsport-inspired hybrid Porsche 911 GTS was unveiled last week and here is a great selection on articles that discuss the technology behind the iconic sports car.
- New Porsche 911: T-Hybrid for significantly enhanced performance (Porsche)
- From development onto the big stage: May was all about the new Porsche 911 (Porsche)
- Porsche debuts first-ever hybrid 911 powertrain in the 2025 GTS (Grassroots Motorsports)
- Everything You Need to Know About the Porsche 911’s New Hybrid Engine (MotorTrend)
Toyota, Mazda and Subaru are not giving up on internal combustion yet. The Japanese auto giants are forging ahead with the development of new internal combustion engines, which the automakers say are actually necessary to lower emissions overall while still giving customers the choice to keep using familiar technology.
“That is, Japan has much to lose by abandoning internal combustion altogether. So Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru are working on ways to make ICEs compatible with the goal of lowering emissions worldwide. The three carmakers are now proposing solutions to the seemingly incommensurate goal of new ICEs and lower CO2 emissions by making more efficient engines that run on so-called carbon-neutral fuels. The term CN fuels is a catch-all for synthetic fuels made from hydrogen and carbon dioxide, as well as biofuels derived from biomass such as plants, per Toyota.”
Hydrogen Central looks at a new hydrogen engine from Kia and Hyundai that heralds a new dawn in automotive.
“The project team successfully ensured that the Hyundai-Kia hydrogen engine, designed to burn hydrogen, could sustain high thermal efficiency throughout its operation by infusing hydrogen into the combustion chamber at a pressure of 30 bar. Although the device’s performance was enhanced by the use of a turbocharger, it was found that the enhanced performance and lower pollution emissions of this kind of “direct injection” eliminated the problems that most automakers have with hydrogen engines. As the emissions of carbon dioxide and fine particles were reduced by 99% and 90%, the Hyundai-Kia hydrogen engine would be considered to have zero emissions.”
Series News
With the news that new Formula E entrant Lola has committed to the Gen4 era until at least 2030, according to Motorsport Week, a shakedown of their Gen 3 car is imminent. While The Race has the inside story on how the Lola came to pass, Autosport explains how Formula E’s open-door approach to manufacturers is paying off.
“I’ve always said the balance is between five and seven. Five feels like the bottom end of the range, once you start to go above seven it starts to feel like if you’ve only got 11 or 12 teams, it means there are going to be half of them which only have one powertrain in the championship. That feels like it’s starting to become untenable.”
In other Fomrula E news, the series has introduced their Season 11 calendar which will also include for the first time a Manufacturers’ Title. The proposed 17-race schedule was approved at a meeting of the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council on Tuesday, with 11 destinations set to be visited by the all-electric championship.
With F1 revealing their new preliminary chassis rules for 2026 that equalizes the power output between the sustainably-fueled ICE and the newly expanded battery output, The Race wonders if Formula E should fear this new F1 rule direction.
“That increased electrical contribution will be marketed heavily by F1 as part of its sustainability agenda. This will mean that Formula E will be forced to fight even harder for its USP to be recognised on the global sporting stage.”
That being said, it may not be an issue in 2030 as Stefano Domenicali has wondered out loud if F1 should ditch the hybrid rules completely. “F1 has always been seen as having the lightest and best cars, so if sustainable fuels are successful we could go back to a situation where the battery is not needed any more,” he told CNBC.
Max Verstappen has openly chided F1 on their sustainability plans and is probably saying out loud what many are thinking in private.
“When you look at sustainability but at the same time I understand that having two-three races in the same country or the same continent maybe sell less tickets. But then what are you trying to sell? Is it tickets or actually to sell the sustainability story? That’s what we have to look at,” the RB20 driver added.
“What are you trying to sell?” Max Verstappen takes a jibe at F1’s sustainability focused calendar
Hybrid Rally1 cars will continue in the World Rally Championship until the end of 2026, the FIA has confirmed following Tuesday’s World Motor Sport Council.
“Technical stability has been agreed between all stakeholders for the 2025 and 2026 FIA World Rally Championship seasons. The World Council has confirmed that, following extensive feedback and discussions, the WRC Technical Regulations for Rally1/2 cars will remain unchanged for the coming two years,” read a statement from the FIA. “All stakeholders are working positively together on the direction of the regulations for 2027 and beyond, and there is a good consensus between the World Council members and the manufacturers on the key targets that are aimed primarily at increasing participation at the highest level as previously set out by the FIA.
BlackBook Motorsport travelled to Puerto Banús, the site of E1 Series latest round, to talk to the organization’s chief executive Rodi Basso about his vision for the championship, engaging with fans at home and at events, and the real-world application of electric powerboat technology.
“As an engineer, the principle behind the [Electric] 360 [partnership] is something that is really in my heart,” he tells BlackBook Motorsport. “They are trying to understand, together with us, how to keep developing sports platforms and sports events with a high commercial relevance – where the relevance is not only economic or financial, but how you can impact billions of people.”
The Big Picture
In The Big Picture, I look beyond motorsport to see what other sports are doing in their sustainability journey as well as the issue of sustainability generally. Hopefully this will act as a catalyst for change in the motorsport ecosystem as it demonstrates that in many ways, all sport shares some commonalities that can be tackled with achievable, measurable sustainability practices.
With carbon offsetting used extensively in sport and with the practice facing mounting criticism, Global Sustainable Sport asks the question, is criticism of carbon offsetting in sport misplaced?
“While there is a stigma around carbon offsets and carbon credits, they can be useful when it is difficult to reduce in the first instance – for example, where fan travel is concerned. Many fans can, of course, arrive by low-carbon means like public transport, walking or cycling, but if the sporting event is an international competition, there will still be fans flying in from all over the world.”
Getting to the Track Sustainably
Getting to the Track Sustainably is my occasional segment on developments in sustainable transportation that could have some application to motorsport. Since most carbon emissions come from logistics and transportation, this topic is of utmost importance as motorsport works to make itself more sustainable. Here are some articles you may find of interest.
- Mixed fuel approach for Iveco on Metallica Tour (Freight Carbon Zero)
- Zero to Accelerate Synthetic Sustainable Aviation Fuel (eSAF) Adoption with Airbus partnerships (Zero)
- K Line successfully trials Marion Biofuel B100 (Biofuels International)
- Scan Global Logistics and Hapag-Lloyd sign major biofuel agreement (Biofuels International)
- DHL Group expands electric truck charging infrastructure with E.ON (Freight Carbon Zero)
- Norden completes first B100 biofuel bunkering in Singapore (Biofuels International)
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.
