Formula 1 is on track to meet its Net Zero 2030 target, and I have all the details in this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup. I also have an update on hydrogen prototype plans for Le Mans, what a sustainable F1 V8 might look like in 2030 and more!
Overview
Sustainable Motorsport News
Formula 1 on Track to Meet Net Zero 2030 Target
Formula 1 says it reduced its carbon emissions by 12% in 2025 and by 35% over the past eight years, keeping it on track to achieve a 50% reduction by 2030.
F1 set the goal of becoming “Net Zero” by 2030, which it claims would be delivered through a 50% reduction of its own emissions compared with 2018 levels. For the remaining unavoidable emissions that come with putting together a dense 24-race calendar, the championship will use what it calls an “offset using credible program”.
Ellen Jones, Head of ESG at Formula 1, said:
“Sustainability underpins every decision we make, not only on the racetrack, but in how we produce and deliver our iconic events around the world. By doubling the sport’s investment in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), making our first investment in sustainable maritime fuel, and continuing to work closely with promoters, teams and partners, we are driving further emissions reductions while accelerating the adoption of the latest technologies. These actions demonstrate our continued determination to lead through sustainable innovation. As we move towards our net zero by 2030 goal, the Future Race Operations Program will deliver further significant reductions in the years ahead, alongside the full impact of calendar rationalization, which will come into effect from the 2026 season. Together, these initiatives show that sustainable operations are not only possible at a global scale, but can be delivered without compromising the performance, ambition or spectacle that define Formula 1.”
Full coverage of the report can be found below. You can also download the official 2026 Sustainability Report from Formula 1 here.
- Formula 1 on track to meet Net Zero 2030 target as it reports a 35% reduction in its carbon footprint (F1)
- 2026 F1 Sustainability Report (F1)
- F1 reports 35% CO2 reduction ahead of 2030 targets (Autosport)
- F1 on track for Net Zero 2030 after 35 percent emissions cut (Sector)
- Inside Formula 1’s plan to hit Net Zero by 2030 (Sector)
- F1’s Head of ESG Ellen Jones on The Business of Formula 1 podcast (Sector)
5 Key Takeaways from Mclaren’s 2025 Sustainability Report
McLaren Racing come a long way in the five years since publishing their first-ever sustainability report – as both a racing team and global brand – and they’re continuing to find new ways to grow responsibly.
This week they published 5 key takeaways from their 2025 sustainability report. You can read what they are here. You can read their full 2025 Sustainability Report here, and find further information on their sustainability program here.
Hydrogen Prototype Details Revealed as WEC Outlines 2030 Hypercar Rules
In announcing the new framework for prototype spotrscar racing taking effect in 2030, the ACO also detailed the plans for a future hydrogen class.
“The FIA and the ACO have firmed up an intention to have hydrogen-fuelled cars on the grid in Hypercar and challenging for overall victory from 2030 when the new rules come into force. Liquid hydrogen will be allowed to power both internal combustion engines and fuel cells driving electric motors. The minimum weight for hydrogen machinery will be 1200kg and an Equivalence of Technology will be employed to equate performance with the conventionally-powered cars.”
More details can be found on Autosport here.
FIA, ACO and Goodyear Drive the Future of LMGT3 Through 2029
Goodyear has announced a multi-year extension of its partnership with the FIA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), confirming its role as the exclusive tire supplier for the LMGT3 category in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) through 2029.
The agreement reinforces Goodyear’s long-term commitment to endurance racing at the highest level. Goodyear was selected at the end of a tender evaluation that considered a range of criteria, including tire performance across varying track and weather conditions, safety, sustainability, cost, the manufacturer’s experience in supplying tires for LMGT3 competition, and the level of technical and operational support provided to teams.
“This extension reinforces Goodyear’s long-term commitment to endurance racing as a platform for innovation”, said Xavier Fraipont, Goodyear Racing Vice-President. With the next generation of Eagle tires from 2027, we are not only raising the bar in performance but also accelerating our journey to have tires with higher levels of sustainable-material content in top-tier competition”.
Full details can be found here.
Can a Business Change How it Operates Without Changing What it Sells?
Jeff Dodds, Chief Executive Officer at Formula E explains how Formula E is an example of how business can change how it operates without changing what it sells. “The constraints we set ourselves haven’t held the Championship back whatsoever, they’ve actually made it better built and easier to defend.”
Read his full post on LinkedIn here.
Cadillac Racing Awarded 2026 DHL Sustainable Endurance Award
Cadillac Racing has been named the winner of the 2026 DHL Sustainable Endurance Award in the Hypercar category, a recognition presented in connection with the 24 Hours of Le Mans by the FIA, ACO and DHL. The award recognizes Cadillac Racing for a sustainability program built on measurable actions across race logistics, hospitality, waste reduction, procurement and community engagement.
Cadillac Racing’s submission stood out to the organizers as one of the most complete, structured and measurable dossiers received this year, covering all areas with concrete actions directly tied to Le Mans operations.
Full details can be found here.
JCB’s Hydromax Tests in UK Ahead of Hydrogen Land Speed Record Attempt
JCB’s Hydromax has been testing in the UK ahead of its runs on the Bonneville salt flats in August, when it aims to set a new land speed record for hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Just over a month after the project was unveiled, the car has now been built and is currently in the middle of the second week of testing at RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire.
RACER has all the details here.
Series News
The Return of the V8 in F1 – and What it Could Look Like
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently stated that Formula 1 is set to return to V8 engines. Beyond their might and roar, what could lie within the next generation of V8 power units? Former Cosworth engineer and engine designer, and founder of engine component supplier Modatek, Matt Grant examines the prospect.
“The general consensus is that we are heading back to the normally aspirated V8 era, which was dropped at the end of 2013 in favour of the V6 turbocharged engines. So how different will the new V8 engines be compared to those from 13 years ago?“
Read the full article on Raceteq here.
IndyCar to Reduce Hybrid Power Output for Remainder of Season
The IndyCar Series has informed its teams of a new plan to reduce the power output of its hybrid systems for the remainder of the season. The decrease starts this weekend at Road America with the XPEL Grand Prix and will see IndyCar’s technical team make race-by-race adjustments to lower hybrid horsepower by anywhere from 10 to 25 percent based on the circuit.
“The change comes after a trouble-filled start to the season, during which ongoing reliability issues with the spec energy storage systems and the motor generator units have led to supply concerns for the series.”
RACER has all the details here.
E1 Electric Powerboat Racing Harnesses Celebrity Power For Motorsport
Electric racing has struggled to succeed. Many innovative series have encountered problems, with Formula E the exception rather than the rule. Combining sustainability with another niche – powerboat motorsport – could have been a recipe for disaster. But the electric E1 powerboat racing series has gone from strength to strength, attracting famous names from acting, sport, and music as team owner figureheads. What has been the secret of its success?
“We’re still here,” says Alejandro Agag, Founder of E1, as well as Formula E and Extreme E (recently mutated into Extreme H). “That’s already an achievement. It’s always difficult to create a championship, especially in an area like boat racing.”
Read the full article on Forbes here.
Getting to the Track Sustainably
Audi Introduces First Hybrid Supercar and More
- Audi presents its first supercar with a high-performance hybrid powertrain (Audi)
- Nuvolari supercar: Audi accelerates technological renewal (Audi)
- Audi Nuvolari: from the racetrack to series production — at record pace (Audi)
- The New, All-Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Is a 1,153 HP Super Sedan (Robb Report)
- Mercedes Elevates the Electric Experience with New Mercedes-AMG GT (Jetset Magazine)
- This Electric Aircraft Is the First to Take Flight Using Solid-State Batteries (Robb Report)
- SWISS signs with methanol-to-SAF developer Metafuels in drive to access synthetic aviation fuels (Green Air News)
- GAO: Electric Propulsion Standards Work Stalled by Bureaucracy Cuts (AIN)
- ICAO Launches Program To Speed Aviation Decarbonization (AIN)
- Willie Walsh Leaves IATA With a Blunt Warning for Aviation’s Fragile Recovery (Business Traveler)
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.
