Formula E is considered by some to be the most important motorsport on the planet and in this week’s edition of the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup you will find out why. I also have news on Ferrari’s work towards being more sustainable, how F1 tires can contribute to energy production and what Ford has in mind for their Mach-E.
Sustainable Motorsport News
The Aston Martin F1 team has signed a partnership with Atlas Air as both a sponsor and a logistics partner.
“Beyond logistics, this partnership brings together two industry leaders, sharing an unwavering dedication to leading their respective fields. Aston Martin Aramco and Atlas will collaborate to share expertise and develop new ideas with the aim of improving logistics efficiency, advancing technology, and promoting sustainable practices.”
Motorsport Prospects contributor Maja Czarzasty-Zybert has written an article for Rosso Motori (in Italian) that examines the sustainability of the Ferrari F1 team. “In my latest article for Rossomotori.it I analyze how Scuderia Ferrari is adapting to the green transition and what it could do to stay competitive in this new era. The big question is: Can Ferrari truly be sustainable without losing its identity?”
You can read the article here.
Ford has announced that they will be returning to Pikes Peak in 2025 with a variant on the Mustang Mach-E. They have also announced a Mustang Mach-E NASCAR. “The automaker confirmed Thursday in a press release that it would send a new one-off demonstrator based on the Mustang Mach-E to the 2025 Pikes Peak Hill Climb, scheduled for late June. It follows EV demonstrators based on the F-150 Lightning pickup truck and Transit van that ran in 2024 and 2023, respectively.”
As for the NASCAR Mach-E, it is a technology demonstrator that combines elements of the current NASCAR Cup chassis with a Mach E-styled body and an EV powertrain. According to the company, it features a three-motor setup (similar to that used in the Pikes Peak Super Truck), a full carbon tub and a 78kWh battery. Ford also teased its 2025 Pikes Peak challenger, which will be styled on the Mach E, with the aim of continuing the Super Truck’s success at the Race to the Clouds.
GreenGT, a specialist in hydrogen fuel cell technology, and Pratt Miller, a renowned innovator in advanced engineering and manufacturing, have announced a strategic technical partnership. This collaboration is set to drive the development of groundbreaking hydrogen-powered solutions for the defense, motorsport, and mobility industrial sectors.
Building on their shared commitment to innovation and sustainability, the partnership leverages GreenGT’s expertise in hydrogen fuel cell systems and Pratt Miller’s advanced engineering and integration capabilities. GreenGT has already delivered units of its NGT 75 kW fuel cell system to Pratt Miller, which has proven its adaptability and performance in high-demand applications. These systems form the foundation of joint projects aimed at advancing hydrogen technology across diverse industries.
Are most in motorsport ignoring sustainability? Goodwood Revival’s significant focus on environmental sustainability is a rarity in UK motorsport, as revealed exclusively by the GSS Network DataHub. You can register to access the Data Hub and report here.
The FIA are recruiting for a Head of Sustainability for their Geneva, Switzerland office.
The Head of Sustainability is responsible for implementing FIA’s sustainability vision and strategy across the organization and the FIA community.
Reporting directly to the sustainability and D&I Director, this role leads a dedicated sustainability team, ensuring that all initiatives align with FIA’s Environmental Strategy and broader sustainability objectives.
This role involves working cross-functionally with FIA member clubs, internal units, motorsport stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and international organizations to drive measurable impact.
Deadline to apply : 16 February 2025
More details can be found here.
Sustainable Motorsport Tech
From 5–8 February, Automessen at NOVA Spektrum in Lillestrøm, just outside Oslo, will bring together key players in the automotive industry. Among them, the NXT Gen Cup partner VARTA will showcase its latest battery innovations.
“Our partnership with VARTA has been a key part of NXT Gen Cup’s journey, ensuring top-level performance and reliability in our fully electric race cars. We are excited to see VARTA presenting their technology at Automessen and invite visitors to learn more about the future of electric mobility,” said Fredrik Lestrup, NXT Gen Cup founder.
Series News
Alex Kalinauckas of Autosport Plus wonders if the 2026 F1 rules should be scrapped with electric power being less of an emphasis with car manufacturers and the rise of synthetic fuel. “The potential of synthetic fuel technology means much lighter engines, and car weight may come down significantly in the future. Nimbleness can indeed be better recovered.”
Formula 1 is undergoing a green revolution and for those unaware, Maja Czarzasty-Zybert looks at what the series is currently doing and what the future holds for sustainable motorsport in F1. Read her overview here.
In another article posted on her LinkedIn page, prolific author Maja Czarzasty-Zybert looks at how Formula 1 tires can drive sustainability.
“The rubber used in racing tires is a highly advanced chemical compound, incorporating both natural and synthetic rubber, carbon black, oils, and reinforcing additives. While a tire may lose its grip performance after a few laps, it remains a valuable raw material that can be transformed into an energy source.”
Read the complete article here.
HypeBeast calls Formula E “maximum fun and innovative tech in the most important motorsport on the planet.”
“In the realm of open-wheel, single-seater racing, Formula 1 reigns supreme, but Formula E is carving out its own legacy. While F1 drips with glamour, global icons, and century-old prestige, Formula E brings a fresh narrative, combining high drama with a forward-thinking edge. With viewership growing significantly in key markets, specifically 45% in Germany and 30% in the USA, Formula E’s 374 million global fanbase has solidified itself as the fourth-largest motorsport globally, steadily narrowing the gap with F1’s 750 million audience.”
Read their profile of the series here.
In the first part of an exclusive interview with Motorsport Week, the owner of famed British manufacturer Lola has said that entering Formula E was a “no-brainer” for the company, as it makes its return to top level motorsport.
“There’s a few things that are attractive about Formula E for Lola as it relates to Lola’s broader plans,” he said. “Really, as Lola, we want to be a leader in sustainable motorsport. Why sustainable motorsport? Because I think motorsport serves two purposes. On the one hand, it needs to be an entertainment sport. And the broader automotive and mobility space is pretty focused on decarbonising and becoming more sustainable, and so that’s where motorsport needs to go as well.”
Read Part 1 of the interview here.
While Formula E is seeing record TV audiences after its first two races, Jean-Eric Vergne has warned of potential unintended consequences as the all-electric championship launches its Pit Boost next week at the Jeddah E-Prix.
“Pitstops are fairly long; on some tracks, it’s possible we’ll be one lap down, so I hope the FIA and Formula E can ensure that the pitstops are maybe a little shorter so that the race remains comprehensible – because if you’ve got the leader coming out of the pits one lap down and there’s a safety car, it might be a little tricky.”
Read more about his concerns here.
Getting to the Track Sustainably
- Next-gen Concorde makes supersonic debut (Executive Traveler)
- Driving Forward: Innovations in Low-Carbon Transportation (Regenerative Insights)
- DHL: Asia’s First Sustainable Aviation Fuel Cargo Service (Sustainability Magazine)
- European Aviation Groups Demand Net-zero Policy Progress (AIN)
- Genesis concept makes track debut with Bathurst, Le Mans legend (Car Expert)
- P1 Fuels is now part of the HyLion Network: e-methanol for CO2-reduced supply chains (P1 Fuels)
- Renault 5 E-Tech Electric: Car of The Year 2025 (Renault)
- Ferrari’s first EV debuting Oct. 9 (Green Car Reports)
- Nissan board agrees to scrap $60 billion Honda merger talks, source says (Reuters)
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.
