The Porsche GEN4 Formula E Car has hit the track, and I have the details in this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup. I also have updates on Mission H24, Extreme H and much more!
Overview
Sustainable Motorsport News
M24 – Motorsport Museum: Racing Inspiration Behind Responsible Architecture
The future M24 – Motorsport Museum is a ground-breaking architectural project set to harness the transmission of a legacy with innovation and environmentally friendly concepts. At the crossroads of the heritage arising from the world’s greatest endurance race, contemporary environmental demands and local appeal, the new cultural facility aims to become a reference point in the word of motorsport.
M24 has been designed from the outset with sustainability in mind to meet stringent environmental demands. “We opted for a green roof for intelligent rainwater management and in-situ infiltration. We have also chosen sustainable, ecoresponsible materials such as aluminium, which is light, durable and recyclable,” the architect added.
The Circuit Has Renewed Its FIA 3-Star Environmental Accreditation
The FIA has awarded the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya the 3-Star Environmental Accreditation once again as part of its sustainability program. This recognition, which the Catalan track has received for ten consecutive years, demonstrates its pioneering environmental commitment in the world of sport and motor racing.
In its statement of purpose and values, the Circuit bases its development on striking a balance between environmental protection and improvement, and social and economic respect and benefit, under the premise of CirCuitCat’s 3C management: Conscience, Commitment and Coherence
Inside McLaren’s Energy Tech Collab with Schneider Electric
With Schneider Electric as its Official Energy Technology Partner, McLaren is accelerating efficiency, sustainability and digital innovation across racing. Schneider will support McLaren by deploying advanced energy infrastructure at global race circuits and upgrading systems at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking – with a clear focus on efficiency, sustainability and innovation.
You can read more about the collaboration here.
Formula E Celebrates B Corp Certification With SunGod Collaboration
Formula E has announced its first collaboration with performance eyewear brand, SunGod. Built with a commitment to circularity and longevity, the Miras are part of SunGod’s Infinite 100% Recycled collection and come with a 100% microfibre pouch. These frames use the same ultra-durable material as virgin frames, but are sourced and manufactured entirely from recycled plastic, which results in an equally enduring frame that is better for the planet.
In line with SunGod’s status as a certified B Corp and member of 1% for the planet, every product is Carbon Neutral. To ensure these sunglasses stay on the track and out of landfills, the collection is backed by a Lifetime Guarantee, if they break, they will be repaired for free, mirroring a dedication to sustainable consumption.
NASCAR Releases First Impact Report
NASCAR has released their first annual NASCAR IMPACT report. Sneak peek at what you’ll see in the Healthy Environments section:
- New and updated energy, waste and carbon goals
- NASCAR’s 2024 scope 1 and 2 emissions
- Highlights of IMPACT made with partners like ABB, United Rentals and more
Read the full report here or visit nascarimpact.com to learn more.
“While this is a momentous day for our sport, we know there is more work to do to scale these efforts. But for today, I am humbled to be part this important effort that showcases not only the incredible work of so many individuals, but the passion and commitment of an entire industry working tirelessly to lead with IMPACT.“
Sustainable Motorsport Tech
All-New Porsche GEN4 Formula E Car Hits the Track
Development of the all-new GEN4 Formula E car is well underway, with Porsche Motorsport hitting the track for the first time ahead of its introduction next season. Testing began in November, and by mid-January, the GEN4 Porsche had already completed 1,472 test kilometres on the circuits of Monteblanco and Almería in Spain.
With 600 kW (816 PS) of power, permanent all-wheel drive, new tyres and significantly increased downforce, the new car delivers the biggest performance leap seen in the championship to date.
The GEN4 car – built to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s fourth vehicle regulations – is lighter, more powerful, more durable – and more cost-efficient.
Read more about the car at Porsche’s Motorsport Hub.
AVL RACETECH Joins Mission H24 Program
AVL RACETECH, an expert in the automotive sector, has joined MissionH24, the collaborative program between the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and H24 Project. The decarbonization of motorsport and mobility through hydrogen is the common thread uniting these two entities.
With the support of AVL RACETECH, the H24EVO prototype will be further developed in a targeted manner. The hydrogen-electric race car is designed to meet the high-performance demands and extreme operating conditions of modern endurance racing.
Further details can be found here.
Honda Unveil RA626H 2026 Formula One Engine
Honda unveiled its 2026 Formula One engine and officially launched its partnership with the Aston Martin team in Tokyo in January.
Built to the new Formula One technical regulations, which come into force for the 2026 season, the RA626H is a turbocharged 1.6 litre V6 petrol engine which is part of a hybrid power unit. It develops around 540 bhp, down from the approximately 850 bhp output of 2025 engines. However, the output of the MGU-K motor generator is increased from 160 bhp to 470 bhp so the maximum output of the complete powertrain will be similar to 2025 levels. Under the new regulations the MGU-H hybrid element, used up to 2025, is removed.
Aston Martin chairman Lawrence Stroll said that the AMR26 chassis and the Honda power unit had been designed as “one integrated package, a move that is crucial to the aspiration to win championships”.
Honda said the technologies it was developing for its Formula One engines would feed into its next-generation roadcars and also into other areas such as eVTOL and aircraft engines. Such technologies include high-efficiency combustion, thermal management, high engine speeds, large turbochargers and sustainable hydrocarbon fuels.
The engine will use fuels from title sponsor Aramco and lubricants from Valvoline.
BP and Audi Revolut F1 Team Join Forces for Sustainable Racing
BP has been selected as the official technology partner of the Audi Revolut F1 Team. The partners collaborate closely to develop the power unit and fuel, while BP’s Castrol business develops the specialist lubricants and fluids.
For the first time, all F1 power units must run on FIA-defined advanced sustainable fuels. For competition, BP and the Audi Revolut F1 Team have developed a bespoke fuel, BP Ultimate Racing, which is designed to maximize power unit performance while complying with the 2026 FIA fuel regulations.
Series News
Hydrogen Racing Is Here: Extreme H’s Bold Vision for the Future of Motorsport
Hydrogen racing has arrived — and Extreme H is leading the charge. In this Race Industry Week by EPARTRADE session, Ali Russell, Managing Director of Extreme H, delivers a deep dive into the world’s first hydrogen-powered motorsport championship, explaining how the series is building on the legacy of Extreme E while positioning hydrogen as the next frontier in sustainable racing and mobility.
Was Formula E’s Miami F1 Track Debut Good Enough?
More than a decade after it was part of the inaugural Formula E calendar, the Miami E-Prix – this latest version of it, against the backdrop of the Hard Rock Stadium – feels like it has the potential to become a core fixture. But potential is the key word there. Sam Smith explains why here and looks at the venue here.
Second U.S. Formula E Race Expected Next Season
Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds says he expects two races to be on next season’s schedule. Speaking to RACER at last weekend’s Miami E-Prix, Dodds explained that the calendar for next season will be submitted in April, and revealed that this is likely to have two American races on it, following years of talks and teases about the desire to expand the series’ footprint in the country.
“We’re talking to places like Phoenix, Atlanta, COTA (Circuit of the Americas), Detroit, Denver…,” he said, adding that Toronto north of the border was also a possibility. “There’s a whole load of places we talk to, some are more advanced than others.”
Kirkwood and Power Like What They See at Miami Formula E
Andretti Global NTT IndyCar Series drivers Will Power and Kyle Kirkwood were in attendance at Formula E’s Miami E-Prix over the weekend, and came away impressed. “I like it,” Power told RACER. “It’s definitely a different driving style and obviously a lot of strategy to play out in the race, the way you save energy and so on. And the cars would be incredibly different having a differential in the front and tuning that. I’d like to drive one just to see, what does it feel like? How does it behave?”
Formula E Evo Sessions for Celebrity Influencers Set to Return
Following its debut at the Miami International Autodrome last year, Formula E’s Evo Sessions event is returning for a second time on Feb. 15. While last year’s Evo Sessions was a standalone that filled a gap in the race calendar, this year it will take place the day after the Jeddah E-Prix doubleheader in Saudi Arabia.
Evo Sessions gives influencers, content creators and celebrities the chance to drive Formula E’s GEN3 Evo cars, with each participant being aligned with one of the championship’s competing teams.
Getting to the Track Sustainably
- SkyTeam announces airline finalists of its competition to drive action on sustainability (Green Air News)
- New studies confirm minor flight re-routing to avoid contrails would have major climate benefits (Green Air News)
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.
