Sustainability and motorsport sponsorship is an issue that I have covered in the past and is explored once again in this week’s edition of the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup. Sponsors and potential sponsors are more often asking teams and drivers about their sustainability initiatives before they commit and this week you will hear why. I also have a huge update on various developments in hydrogen-powered motorsport, some fascinating developments in ICE propulsion and what Porsche wants out of Formula E.
All this and much more in this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup, your source for sustainable high performance motorsport news. Please note that there will be no Sustainable Motorsport Roundup next week as I am off on vacation. It will return on June 13th. Thanks so much for reading!
Sustainable Motorsport News
Long-time Honda MotoGP sponsor Repsol has announced an end to their sponsorship after the 2024 season, but they are not leaving the sport. Instead, Repsol wants to focus on the promotion of non-fossil fuels. “Repsol is believed to be interested in continuing to link its image to MotoGP in the future, especially by being one of the suppliers of the new, more sustainable fuels adopted by the series.”
A recent Unofficial Partner Podcast episode featured an interview with Anneliese Mesilati, Head of Brand Activation and Sponsorships, Americas at UBS and it covered an issue that is becoming increasingly common in motorsport sponsorship, the commitment to sustainability. “We were considering exiting Formula 1 until the FIA, F1 and Mercedes shared their sustainability commitment. So it’s something that is a real consideration for us.” You can listen to the full episode here.
Whether its a team or driver sponsor, sustainability is become a major concern and how teams and drivers respond will determine whether they retain or gain sponsors. Below are some articles that delve further into this issue that Motorsport Prospects has published over the years.
- How Brands Drive Sustainability Through Motorsport Partnerships
- Sustainability Lessons from Stella McCartney
- Getting Green Tech Motorsport Sponsorship in this Age of Sustainability
- Sustainability, Partnerships and the Racing Driver Part 1
- Sustainability, Partnerships and the Racing Driver Part 2
Global Sustainable Sport looks at how the relationship between rallying and natural racetracks has prompted the motorsport to analyze its sustainability efforts. “To begin, WRC Promoter looked into the environments in which it races, as well as the communities of these locations. It was quickly realised that there were many areas in which the sport had already made progress, but there needed to be more concrete goals and strategies.”
The SportsPro Podcast recently published their final breakdown from the FIA World Rally Championship’s Beyond Rally forum featuring interviews with Sara Mariani, Martin Popilka, and Santiago Peña Gómez.
“Find out about how the championship’s Sustainability Roadbook looks to drive social change, promote technological innovation, and maintain environmental progress – all while trying to be a source of inspiration to not just other motorsport series, but sports around the world.”
You can listen to the episode here.
Continuing the Rallying theme, Asset Alliance Group will be positive about motorsport for the 2024 season, with all rally drivers in its ambassador program having their competition-related carbon emissions offset by Carbon Positive Motorsport.
Announcing the partnership, Asset Alliance Group CEO Willie Paterson, who will become an ambassador for Carbon Positive Motorsport, said: “As a provider of commercial vehicles, we are keenly aware of the importance greener fuels have in a more sustainable future for the transport sector. We are committed to sustainability, not only in terms of decarbonising our own business, but supporting our customers in their individual green journeys.”
KiSS Mugello is the environmental and social sustainability program of the MotoGP Italian Grand Prix at the Mugello International Circuit. The aim of the program is to raise collective awareness on the importance of employing sustainable oriented practices in major sport events, as well as in everyday life.
Among the numerous activities of this 2024 edition is also the call-to-action for the raccolta delle bottiglie PET promoted by COREPLA and the exceptional initiative for the protection of bees: the Circuit will in fact host several hives to raise awareness among participants about the importance of pollinating bees for the ecosystem and biodiversity.
The Toyota 86 Championship has become the first MotorSport New Zealand Championship to contribute to the organization’s sustainability fund for the entirety of its season.
MotorSport New Zealand’s Sustainability Fund, established in 2021, aims to offset the carbon emissions produced in motorsport competition. The scheme is optional for event organisers and classes to take advantage of, with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand the first category manager choosing to support the fund and offset their carbon emissions from their Toyota 86 Championship.
Across the championship’s six rounds, a total of 29,415kg of CO2 was emitted across the combined 38,797kms raced. Equating to 222kg of CO2 per car, per round, the cost for each competitor ranged between $7.50-$19.00 each round depending on the distance covered. MotorSport New Zealand also contributed a small subsidy for each car at each event.
The money received is then used to fund carbon-offset projects local to where the motorsport events take place. MotorSport New Zealand has partnered with Trees That Count to deliver these carbon-offset projects. In the case of the Toyota 86 Championship, 204 trees will be planted across New Zealand.
Nicolas Caillol, TGRNZ Motorsport Manager commented “Toyota New Zealand has committed to a reduction of 46% of its 2019 baseline CO2 emission by 2030.”
A database of sustainable actions that sports event organizers and organizations can adopt has been established. Created by the GAMES project, an Erasmus+ funded initiative that explores ways sport can decarbonise, the database demonstrates ways that organizations and events can minimize their environmental impact through smart choices around energy, food and beverage, transport and waste, as well as through robust policies and governance. More details can be found here.
Sustainable Motorsport Tech
MissionH24 remains optimistic about meeting its stated deadlines to get its latest hydrogen-powered prototype racer on track despite delays to “certain milestones”, the project’s technical director Bassel Aslan has said.
“We have challenges – we have certain milestones delayed,” Aslan said at Spa’s recent World Endurance Championship meeting. “But we would like to run this car on a circuit in 2025, and really we will do whatever we can to respect that. Maybe by the end of 2025, we might need the whole 2025 to get the needed performance, but we will bring to the circuit during 2025.”
Toyota has been refining their liquid hydrogen Corolla H2 Concept, a hydrogen-powered GR Corolla running on liquid hydrogen as they entered Round 2 of the Fuji SUPER TEC 24 Hours Race last weekend. The refinements made have been in the following areas:
- Improved durability of liquid hydrogen pump
- Improved cruising range with a custom-shaped tank
- Automated CO2 capture device process changeover
You can see the results of the race here.
Sportscar365 reports that Toyota Gazoo Racing team director Rob Leupen has welcomed Alpine’s backing of a liquid hydrogen-based solution for the hydrogen regulations that are due to be introduced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2027.
“It’s good, it’s the progression you would like to see,” said Leupen. “Toyota last year explained their interest in hydrogen in this environment [WEC], and now we can say Alpine is showcasing the same. It’s a powertrain concept which has a future. We are very happy about it, that we are not the only ones pushing this. There always has to be one to kick it off. Now we have Alpine potentially as a second, and maybe there will be more.”
Another organization working to make hydrogen racing happen is Foenix H2. The Foenix H2 is equipped with a 6.2L V8 hydrogen internal combustion engine supercharged by a mechanical compressor and developing 450 kW (612 hp) at a speed of 6500 rpm and a torque of 700 N.m at 4500 rpm. Based on a proven classic 4-stroke architecture, this engine is equipped with an innovative direct hydrogen injection system that allows this gas to be used as fuel.
The dihydrogen molecule has a high mass energy density (1 kg of this gas is equivalent to approximately 3 kg of gasoline), its combustion generates only water vapor and a small quantity of nitrogen oxides. Developed and integrated by Solution F, it benefits from the technological expertise of motorsport allowing testing in the most extreme conditions.
As I have mention recently (here and here), questions are starting to be asked about the future tech of F1 engines, specifically, if they are no longer powered by fossil fuels, why bother with electrification? Ethan Jupp published a similar opinion on the Goodwood Road & Racing website where he argued in an opinion piece why F1 can and should bring back V10s for 2030.
“Then there’s how these engines and hybrid electric power could be a match made in heaven. High-revving engines in theory suit the low-down instant grunt of an electrified element perfectly, culminating in a long, smooth, beautifully-variable power band. Dare I say you could even incorporate cylinder shutdown. Cars so-equipped would satisfy the fans noise-wise, the drivers in terms of drivability, and indeed, satisfy F1’s obsession with industry appeasement, relevance, and the pursuit of electrification. I’m seeing nothing but wins.”
Meet the E1 Series Racebird, an electric powered foiling powerboat that flies above the water.
Toyota has showcased next-generation engines last Tuesday that can be used in cars as varied as hybrids and those running on biofuel, as it targets tougher emissions standards and doubles down on its strategy of selling more than just EVs. At a media event with peers Subaru and Mazda Motor, the world’s biggest automaker by volume displayed in-development 1.5 litre and 2.0 litre engines with significantly reduced volume and height versus current engines.
The three said their efforts will help decarbonise internal combustion engines by making them compatible with alternative fuel sources such as e-fuels and biofuels. They also hope more compact engines will revamp vehicle design by allowing for lower hoods.
MotorTrend looks at the Tomahawk Internal Combustion Turbine Engine that could dramatically chop fuel use and emissions. “Trick-Cycle Turbine Ltd. is still early in its journey of development and commercialization—so early that MotorTrend was chosen to detail the engine’s technology. Next steps are to seek investors and up to $2 million in funding to build the prototype engines needed to validate the impressive efficiency predictions computer models are suggesting for the Tomahawk Trick-Cycle Turbine engine. And then, if the prototypes behave as expected, TTX hopes to demonstrate the engine’s lofty output and impressive efficiency by employing them to break land-speed and aviation global-circumnavigation records.”
Series News
Porsche has committed to Formula E’s Gen4 era but have made no secret that they want more from the series. “Sometimes you feel like asking Laudenbach the engineer, rather than the motorsport director, what he really thinks about Formula E’s technical future. And to be fair to him he doesn’t dodge many questions about it. It has long been known that Porsche would like to see greater freedoms on particular battery technology.”
In more Formula E news, despite some gripes from the drivers, CEO Jeff Dodds believes that fans are enjoying the energy-saving races.
“I know we get some driver feedback that they find it more challenging to drive in that style,” Dodds told RACER. “A lot of them have grown up in an environment where they can literally qualify up front and that’s it — then they’re out front, everyone chasing them around — which is, for me, not a particularly interesting spectacle for bringing new fans to the sport. We get a load of feedback that, at the moment, the fans find this really compelling — we’re 30 percent growth in media year-on-year because people are tuning in to see this kind of racing.”
Green Racing News looks at Nico Rosberg’s leadership at RXR in Extreme E. “Conversely, Nico Rosberg continuously refines his communication skills with each race, adeptly conveying ideas or offering guidance to his drivers while delicately navigating the balance of respect. He treads the fine line of subtlety, steering clear of conflicts and ensuring not to offend colleagues who dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to the team’s success in Extreme E.”
The E1 Series has announced an enhanced partnership with QiOn, a global leader in high-power, ultrafast EV charging solutions. “QiOn’s innovative charging infrastructure has been powering E1 since its inception. By equipping E1 with robust, weather-resistant chargers, QiOn has enabled the high-speed action across diverse global race locations, showcasing the exciting potential of electric powerboat racing. The strengthened partnership signifies a shared vision for a sustainable future for motorsports, combining thrilling competition with environmentally responsible practices.”
Getting to the Track Sustainably
Formula E and DHL have transported its teams’ and championship freight from Berlin to Shanghai using DHL’s GoGreen Plus service, leveraging the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for air freight between the two iconic cities.
Approximately 340 tons of freight has been transported from Berlin to Shanghai using SAF, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% when compared to kerosene aviation fuel. The trip of more than 6,000 miles by three planes leverages DHL Global Forwarding’s GoGreen Plus service via a carbon insetting approach, which will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 1,145 t CO2e compared to the standard air freight approach, the equivalent of 6% of the total freight emissions for the championship in Season 9.
Other initiatives include the optimization of sustainable biofuels in road and ocean freight, as well as efficient regional clustering of races throughout the season.
While SAF is not a complete solution as Vitas Carosella points out in Forbes, it is a positive development use of SAF appears to be increasing in motorsport logistics.
Transport & Energy reports that NatPower Marine and port operator Peel Ports Group have collaborated on plans to establish the first “green shipping corridors” between Ireland and the UK. The proposed project would see NatPower Marine develop one of the UK’s first commercial electric ship charging networks to support electric propulsion and cold ironing, the process of accessing clean power while docked.
The network, which would require an estimated £100m investment from NatPower Marine, would see this dedicated e-ship charging infrastructure delivered across all eight UK and Irish ports operated by Peel Ports Group. The master plan would also include electric car, van and HGV chargers installed for commercial electric vehicles passing through the ports.
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a former 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.
