The Leon VZ e-Hybrid Racer has been revealed by Cupra with the claim that this could be the future of touring car racing. I have the details in this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup. I also have news on hydrogen at Le Mans and much more!

Overview

Sustainable Motorsport News

Cupra Unveils New Leon VZ e-Hybrid Racer

Leon VZ e-Hybrid Racer Unveiled by Cupra

Cupra unveiled a new Leon VZ e-Hybrid Racer prototype during the 2026 edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK.

“The second pillar of CUPRA’s Festival of Speed debut is the CUPRA Leon VZ e‑Hybrid Racer. Wearing a matching ‘Energy Flow’ livery, it invites those drawn to the intensity of Formula E to discover an equally compelling vision of the future of touring car racing,” read a statement from Cupra. “While some concept cars remain pure vision, others signal what’s next. This is one of them.”

The prototype has got the combustion engine from the Leon VZ, the electric motor from the Cupra Raval and battery technology from the Leon PHEV.

More details can be found at Touring Car Times here.

Toyota to Field Hydrogen Fuel Cell Hilux in 2027 Dakar

Toyota has announced plans to field a hydrogen fuel cell-powered Hilux DKR prototype in the 2027 edition of the Dakar Rally.

The Japanese manufacturer’s Gazoo Racing arm is developing the car to test the durability of downscaled fuel cell systems on the gruelling 5320km rally held through the Saudi Arabian desert. The DKR GR FC Hilux prototype will enter the Mission 1000 class for experimental vehicles.

Based on the company’s DKR GR Hilux, which competes for outright honours in the Ultimate class, it will see the V35A twin-turbo V6 petrol engine replaced with a fuel cell system whose technical details are being kept under wraps for now.

Racecar Engineering has all the details here.

International Spark the Future Seminar Brings Global Leaders in Motorsport, Business and Sustainability to Jyväskylä

The fourth edition of the international Spark the Future sustainability seminar will bring an exceptional line-up of international motorsport, business and public sector leaders to Jyväskylä on Friday, 31 July. As part of the Secto Rally Finland programme, the seminar focuses on the future of sustainable mobility, responsible business and emerging technologies.

The event will be opened by Finland’s Minister of Finance Riikka Purra, together with the Mayor of Jyväskylä Timo Koivisto and AKK Sports Ltd CEO Lauri Pöyhönen.

The seminar’s international significance is highlighted by strong representation from the FIA. Among the speakers are Emilia Abel, FIA Road Sport Director, and Pierre Villez, who leads sustainability initiatives for Formula 1 and international motorsport within the FIA. WRC Promoter will also present the latest developments in the FIA World Rally Championship’s Beyond Rally sustainability programme.

“Spark the Future has evolved into an event that explores not only the future of motorsport, but also the wider future of business, technology and society. It is a privilege to welcome such a distinguished group of international experts and decision-makers to Jyväskylä as part of Secto Rally Finland,” says Tiina Lehmonen, promoter of the event.

The seminar will be hosted and moderated by André Noël Chaker.

More details can be found here.

FIA Continues to Expand Career Pathways and Strengthen Environmental Frameworks

The FIA just released its 2025 Sustainability and D&I report, and a few things jumped out. Over 260 organizations are now accredited through their Environmental Accreditation Program, a 37% jump year on year. And 90% of those accredited clubs say it’s actually strengthened their sustainability goals, not just ticked a box.

Silverlake Shows How Recycling and Motorsport Can Go Hand in Hand

Sustainability and motorsport are often seen as competing priorities, but they can reinforce each other. This article highlights how automotive recycler Silverlake is demonstrating that recycled vehicle parts can reduce costs, minimize waste, and support grassroots racing, showing that environmentally responsible practices and competitive motorsport can go hand in hand.

The Green Transition in Motorsport

Riccardo Paterni has authored a comprehensive book on sustainable motorsport called The Green Transition in Motorsport.

This book is a critical exploration of motorsport’s contribution to ‘the green transition’, understood as a societal shift towards a fossil-free future, a circular economy, and greater social inclusiveness.

The book takes a critical look at the historical impact of motorsport and the current business and sporting models that determine its sustainability, as well as the innovation that might contribute solutions to wider social and environmental problems. Drawing on perspectives from sociology, media and sport business, the book unpacks the complexity of stakeholder interests in motorsport that might constrain positive change. Presenting cases and data from Formula One, Formula E, Extreme E, the World Rally Championship, NASCAR and the World Endurance Championship, the book considers the technological and organizational change required to address the triple bottom line of financial, environmental and social sustainability, and looks at how audiences, markets, teams, governing bodies, corporations, and state actors combine to shape the social and economic environments within which motorsport takes place.

Representing a unique case study of the impact of elite sport on wider society, this book is fascinating reading for anybody with an interest in motorsport, sport business, sustainable business, or environment, society and culture.”
— Routledge publishing

You can order your copy here.

The Carbon Offset Myth in Sports: Why High-Emission Competitions Must Go Beyond Carbon Credits to Earn Real Sustainability

Can carbon offsets really make high-emission sporting events sustainable? This thought-provoking article from ESG in Sports challenges the reliance on offsetting in sport, arguing that meaningful climate action requires reducing emissions at the source rather than using offsets to balance the books. It’s an important perspective on the future of sustainability in motorsport and other major sporting competitions.

Sustainable Motorsport Tech

How the Adoption of Hydrogen at Le Mans is Shaping Up

The possibility of seeing a hydrogen-fuelled car competing for overall glory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is closer than ever as the final amendments are made to the regulations, enabling manufacturers to start designing their cars before the end of this year.

Regulators have faced a real challenge in creating a set of rules that are either ahead of, or at the very least keeping level with, advances in such a fast-changing sector.

The futuristic, single-seat H24 Evo concept car was unveiled in 2024. The FIA has since locked in liquid hydrogen storage, while OEMs have been working with the governing bodies to develop a technical framework that will remain relevant for years to come.

Racecar Engineering looks into the current and future status of hydrogen at Le Mans.

Series News

Formula E Tokyo Night Race Powered by HVO-Powered Lighting

Tokyo’s first night races are complete, with two different winners and a whole shake-up to the drivers’ World Championship standings but it was how the night race was lighted which caught my attention.

“Not only will this look great, but over the weekend HVO will be used to generate electricity on-site where grid access is unavailable. Instead of using conventional diesel, Formula E will use HVO for all temporary generators needed to power the 2026 TDK Tokyo E-Prix, which keeps with our sustainable goals as the first sport with certified net zero carbon* footprint from inception (based on the 2020 definition).”

Nissan to Supply GEN4 Powertrains to Andretti Formula E

Nissan has announced a multi-year agreement to supply its Formula E GEN4 powertrain to Andretti Formula E from Season 13 onwards. The agreement brings together two of the most established and competitive organizations in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, creating a strong platform for technical collaboration throughout the series’ next era.

FIA President Issues Update on V8 Engine Return Plan

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has delivered an update on the status of a return to V8 engines in Formula 1’s future.

“Going back to the V8, we have to see what are the objectives? Why? I feel there is a need of a fresh white paper engine that hits all the points,” he said. One thing is the sound for the fans, it’s so important to us, simplicity, and cost effectiveness. There is 100% sustainability with sustainable fuel, but then we will have and just calculating now with the teams.”

The Racetrack Becomes a Rolling Laboratory for Low-Carbon Biofuels in 2026 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup Race Weekend 2

The second Race Weekend of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP)’s premier racing series, is in the books. This leg was held at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga. IndividualSports

Beyond the usual competition on the racetrack, Race Weekend 2 of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup also served an important purpose: the event became a “rolling laboratory” for testing low-carbon biofuels. TMP is the first car manufacturer to test the use of biofuels for motorsports in the Philippines, and this initiative comes in line with its mission to advance the cause of more sustainable motorsports.

Full details can be found here.

Can Sport Help Restore the World’s Oceans?

Jamie Copas, CEO of E1 Series, and Chief Scientist Carlos Duarte explain how the electric powerboat championship is combining high-performance racing with marine conservation, sustainable innovation and community engagement.

Read the full article at Sustainability Magazine here to see if sport become a catalyst for environmental change.

Getting to the Track Sustainably

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.