Gazoo Racing has announced the partners for their pioneering Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) entry in the Dakar Rally, and I have the details in this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup. I also have news on a new team in Formula E, sustainable fuels and a new engine formula in F1 and more!
Overview
Sustainable Motorsport News
Sebastian Vettel Urges F1 to Combine Passion and Sustainability
Sebastian Vettel says Formula 1 doesn’t have to choose between old-school spectacle and a sustainable future, arguing the sport can combine both as it looks beyond the current regulations.
“I think sustainable fuels are the step forward,” the 39-year-old said. “There’s huge potential not just for Formula 1 but also to inspire other racing series. If you shape the next generation of car, there’s a lot of potential to do so responsibly because some things that may be incredible from a technology point of view might not be transferable to the streets. I think there’s also a responsibility to do that.”
“I look forward to what the future brings, because I think F1 has so many nice values that shaped me and inspired me in my life and touches a lot of people around the world. It has that power to do so on many other things that are meaningful and impactful. One doesn’t have to exclude the other. I think we need to find practices with everything so we are able to combine things that we love.””
GAZOO Racing Announces Official Partners for its FCEV Challenge on the 2027 Dakar Rally
GAZOO Racing will benefit from the expertise and technology of a world-class roster of official partners for its pioneering Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) entry in the Dakar Rally, to be contested in Saudi Arabia on 1-15 January 2027.
As part of its commitment to making ever-better motorsports-bred cars, GAZOO Racing is developing the DKR GR FC Hilux via Toyota’s European research and development centre near Brussels, Belgium. The prototype will enter the Dakar Future Mission 1000 category, which is dedicated to experimental vehicles and the demonstration of new technologies.
The 2027 Dakar Future Mission 1000 entry marks the first time Toyota has combined hydrogen and fuel cell technology in its motorsport’s activities. The DKR GR FC Hilux aims to prove the performance, safety and reliability of fuel cell technology in the harsh environment of the Dakar Rally, over 13 stages, comprising a total of 1,000 competitive kilometres.
Based on the DKR GR Hilux, which has already proven itself in Dakar’s top category, the DKR GR FC Hilux replaces its petrol engine with Toyota’s fuel cell system. It emits no CO₂ while driving, with water as its only tailpipe emission.
Jameel Motorsport, DENSO, TOYO TIRES and IAV have joined as official partners, sharing GAZOO Racing’s commitment to making ever-better cars through motorsports. With the support of its official partners, Toyota will continue to advance its challenge to unlock the potential of carbon-neutral and hydrogen-related technologies in motorsports.
Toyota welcomes Jameel Motorsport, DENSO, TOYO TIRES and IAV onboard a shared journey on the Dakar Future Mission 1000 and sincerely thank them for their support.
The final assembly of the DKR GR FC Hilux is ongoing at Toyota’s European headquarters prior to a pre-Dakar Rally testing program.
How Jamie Chadwick’s Grassroots Push Will Help Formula E
Could grassroots electric racing help build a stronger pathway into Formula E? Jamie Chadwick believes it could. In an interview with FE Notebook, Chadwick discusses the need for a more accessible feeder structure between karting and Formula E, particularly one that helps young drivers develop experience with electric powertrains and the unique demands of the championship. Her own Jamie Chadwick Series is already working at the grassroots level to increase female participation and provide mentorship and racing experience. With Formula E moving into its faster Gen4 era, Chadwick argues that creating clearer development pathways could help more young—and female—talent progress toward the world championship.
Atlanta Motorsports Park Circuit Villa Owners Invest in Solar With Future Generations in Mind
At Atlanta Motorsports Park, some Circuit Villa owners are taking a longer-term view when it comes to their homes and energy use. By choosing to incorporate solar energy into their Villas, participating owners are making a decision centered not only on potential energy savings, but also on reducing their environmental impact over time.
Sustainable Innovation Series Alghero Finale
On 1 October, the FIA Sustainable Innovation Series 2026 wraps up in Alghero, just ahead of the FIA World Rally Championship’s final round in Sardegna.
Co-hosted with the Automobile Club d’Italia, this event will explore the effects of climate change on biodiversity, what that means for the organizers of outdoor events, and what it takes to plan a rally – a motor sport championship where the environment plays a defining role.
Spots are limited – register here to attend: https://ereg.fiaevents.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=200302954&
Sustainable Motorsport Tech
Inside F1’s ‘Brutal’ Fuel Development Race – and How It Could Benefit the Wider World
Formula 1’s 2026 regulations have turned fuel development into another high-stakes technology race, with teams and fuel partners searching for performance while meeting the sport’s new Advanced Sustainable Fuel requirements.
F1.com goes inside Audi and BP’s development program, revealing the extraordinary scale of the work involved—including 70 fuel components, 400 pilot samples and 200 fuel blends tested for the new power unit. But the significance extends beyond the racetrack: these fuels are designed as “drop-in” alternatives that could potentially be used in conventional road cars. It’s a fascinating look at how F1’s relentless pursuit of performance could help accelerate the development of more sustainable fuels for the wider automotive world.
From Porsche to Porsche: Next Milestone in Battery Recycling
Porsche is advancing the recovery of valuable raw materials and their reuse in new batteries through a collaboration focused on high-voltage battery recycling. As part of the pilot project, battery cathode active material has now been produced for the first time from 100% recycled raw materials.
At a glance
- Porsche reaches battery recycling milestone: For the first time, battery cells were produced whose cathode active material is made entirely from recycled raw materials, including lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese.
- Pilot project advances closed-loop battery production: Together with partners such as the recycling specialist cylib, Porsche has replaced primary raw materials with fully recycled cathode materials and is now testing the resulting battery cells under real-world conditions.
- Recycled materials to support future battery supply: Since May 2026, end-of-life high-voltage batteries from Porsche Centres in Germany have been recycled through a water-based process, with recovered raw materials set to be available for new battery cell production from 2028 onwards.
Sustainable Racing
Taking a Lucid Air Sapphire to the Track
What happens when a professional race driver takes a luxury electric sedan into one of grassroots motorsport’s toughest endurance competitions? Randy Pobst found out by entering a stock Lucid Air Sapphire in the Tire Rack One Lap of America, taking on track-prepped Porsche 911s, Corvettes, BMWs and Supras across a 3,000-mile, weeklong challenge. Despite an early setback on the wet skidpad, the Sapphire consistently ran near the front, finishing 12th overall while delivering 250–300 miles of range between charges. Beyond the impressive result, Pobst’s experience offers a compelling look at how quickly high-performance EVs are becoming legitimate tools for serious track driving—and how they perform when the novelty wears off and the stopwatch starts.
Series News
Formula E Launches 2024/25 Season Sustainability Report
Formula E has launched both a “bold new identity” as well as their 2024/25 Season Sustainability Report.
The 2024/25 Season Sustainability Report also highlighted how Formula E continuously challenges itself to stay out front, moving beyond traditional carbon neutrality, Formula E achieved certification under the British Standards Institute (BSI) Net Zero Pathway following an independent audit. Aligned with international standards ISO 14064 and the ISO Net Zero Guidelines (IWA 42), the framework validates Formula E’s emissions data and long-term reduction targets: a 50% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions and a 27.5% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030, alongside a 90% total reduction target by 2050 at the latest.
Julia Pallé, Vice President of Sustainability, Formula E said: “Our mission has always been about accelerating progress. While carbon calculation is grounded in direct physical measurements, quantifying human impact requires a different set of tools. In Season 11, we set out to bring that same standard of accountability to our social footprint – working with Deloitte to build an evidence-based framework to measure our work. Reaching over 86,000 people and delivering an estimated €5.6 million in social value contribution demonstrates the tangible difference sport can make in host communities.”
Fortescue Zero to Compete in Formula E with Racing and Innovation Team
Making history as the first Australian owned outfit to race in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Fortescue Zero will join the grid from the start of the upcoming 2026/27 season – subject to FEO and FIA approval. To set the groundwork for this exciting new chapter, Fortescue has acquired the Penske Formula E operation and will compete with a Jaguar GEN4 powertrain.
The reasons why Fortescue bought a majority stake in the Penske Formula E entry, and will run the team from next season onwards are simultaneously straightforward and complex. Sam Smith explains here. Sam also explains that an additional accelerant to the decision of Fortescue was probably Porsche’s decision in the autumn of 2025 to acquire a license for a planned second factory team.
The new Fortescue Zero Formula E squad has chosen Jim Wright to be its Team Principal, as the Australian entrant gets set to make its debut in the 2026/27 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship this December.
Porsche Pivot on Second Team Plan
Porsche has reportedly abandoned plans to run a second factory operation in Formula E for the upcoming Season 13, opting instead to support a newly formed, independent customer squad to maintain its six-car presence in the GEN4 era.
According to reports from FE Notebook, an unknown entity – provisionally designated “NewCo Formula E Team” – submitted a late application to the Formula E Commission on Thursday to field two Porsche 975 RSE cars.
TCS Extends Jaguar Formula E Partnership
Tata Consultancy Services has renewed its title partnership with Jaguar TCS Racing and expanded its role as the team’s official AI partner ahead of Formula E’s GEN4 era.
Can Disney-fied FE Be Marvel-lous?
Formula E is entering the Gen4 era with ambitions that extend well beyond faster, more powerful cars. In this entertaining FEN Notebook feature, Sam Smith examines how the championship plans to use its new partnership with Disney to turn its drivers into bigger personalities and its racing into better storytelling.
Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds argues that the drivers are ultimately the stars of the sport, but making those personalities resonate without alienating existing fans will require a careful balance. With Disney bringing its storytelling expertise to broadcasts, graphics and potentially animated content, the partnership could play an important role in Formula E’s efforts to expand its audience and commercial appeal.
The Initial Plan for F1’s Next Engine Regulation in 2030
Formula 1 stakeholders have reached an agreement on the main elements of the next engine rules cycle. F1 is set to move to 3.0-litre V8 architecture retaining a smaller turbocharger. The new V8 will not be completely detached from electrification either. The new rules look set to include a simplified 100kW electric motor, a considerably lower output than the 350kW current generation of power units. The weight target set for the new power unit is highly ambitious: to produce a complete unit weighing at least 50kg lighter than the current power units.
Get more details at Autosport here.
Getting to the Track Sustainably
- GE Aerospace and Beta Technologies Cross Atlantic in Hybrid-electric Saab 340B Commuter Aircraft (AIN)
- ReFuelEU Surpasses Minimum SAF Uplift in First Reporting Year (AIN)
- Honeywell Integrates Hydrogen Propulsion Power Source (AIN)
- United and FedEx sign agreements to extend SAF supplies and scale up use (Green Air News)
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.
