The growing V10 debate in F1 is the highlight of this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup but that’s not all that is covered. I also have news on the LEED certification of Grand Prix Plaza in Las Vegas, the use of renewable energy at racetracks and the technology behind Extreme H. All this plus much more sustainable motorsport news!
Sustainable Motorsport News
The Las Vegas home of Formula One recently netted a prestigious sustainability achievement as it readies set to be open year-round for non-Las Vegas Grand Prix events. Grand Prix Plaza last month was awarded LEED Silver certification for new construction by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED certification means that a building meets certain guidelines for sustainable design and energy efficiency, showing a commitment to the environment.
Formula E has announced the schedule of this year’s Change Accelerated Live conferences. Connecting industry and political leaders, to unveil new strategies in the fields of sustainability and innovation, driving positive change in sports, business and society. They will be held in:
- Miami – April 11, 2025
- Monaco – May 2nd, 2025
- Tokyo – May 17, 2025
- London – July 25, 2025
More details can be found here.
Carbon Positive Motorsport has made two recent announcements of significance to sustainable motorsport.
They are proud to confirm the continuation of the partnership with the Motorsport UK Junior Rallycross Championship for the 2025 season, marking the third consecutive year of collaboration in sustainable motorsport.
In addition to that, they are looking ahead to an exciting 2025 season at Knockhill race circuit as the circuit enters a second year of collaboration with Carbon Positive Motorsport, placing even more focus on sustainability by extending its club events that work with Carbon Offsetting and extending its environmental roadmap with the clear goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2035.
RIGHT HUB Società Benefit is a consulting firm established to promote environmental, social, ethical and economic sustainability in business processes and to support the Social Economy. They have updated a number of their case studies report that you can find in the Resources section of their website. They are:
- Sustainable Motorsport and Automotive Industry. Making the difference!”
- Case studies Edition 2025
- Sustainable Management in Motorsport” – Good practices collection from 1994 to 2024 Edition 2025
They can be downloaded here.
Sustainable Motorsport Tech
IBC looks at the hydrogen technology powering the new Extreme H series set to debut in 2026. ““Racing has the ability to accelerate innovation,” says Ali Russell, Managing Director, Extreme H. “The rule of thumb is 10 years of R&D is worth one year of racing. We want to be that platform. No one else is doing hydrogen and we feel this is the right time for us to show that hydrogen can be developed in some extreme locations. If you can drive in extreme locations, then you can drive a hydrogen car in London or Paris.”
You can read more here.
When people think of Radical Motorsport, the first thing that often comes to mind is the company’s legendary Nürburgring lap record, holding the title for an astonishing eight years. However, beyond its combustion-powered achievements, Radical has also played a part in the electric vehicle world – one that is far less talked about.
Back in 2010, Radical collaborated with Imperial College London’s Energy Futures Lab to develop the SRZero, an all-electric version of the SR8, setting a ground breaking record in electric mobility. The SRZero concept featured a twin-motor electric drive system, delivering 400bhp and 479lb ft of torque, with a peak capability of 715bhp, powered by a 550v battery pack. This enabled the SRZero to successfully complete two full laps around London’s M25 on a single charge, surpassing the previous record for one lap around the M25 held by a little known company, Tesla.
This remarkable feat demonstrated the potential of electric powertrains in high-performance applications, made possible by regenerative braking and a lightweight sportscar as the host. Later that year, the SRZero successfully completed an even more ambitious journey – driving the entire 16,000 mile / 26,000 km length of the Pan American Highway, from Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southernmost city. The journey, completed over 140 days and spanning 14 countries, demonstrated the durability and capability of electric vehicles across extreme conditions – including high altitudes, harsh mountain passes, tropical storms, and sub-zero temperatures. The team also engaged with communities and local authorities along the route, showcasing the potential of low-carbon technology and inspiring future generations of engineers.
Maja Czarzasty-Zybert looks at how renewable energy is transforming race tracks. “Motorsport has always been a symbol of innovation, extreme performance, and top-level competition. However, in the 21st century, racing faces a new challenge—reducing its carbon footprint and adapting to global trends in sustainability. More and more race tracks worldwide are turning to renewable energy sources (RES) not only to lower carbon dioxide emissions but also to become pioneers in green technologies within the automotive industry.” Read how here.
Series News
The debate over whether Formula 1 should revert back to V10s has gained a life of its own. From rumors in the background to public pronouncements from the FIA president, F1 CEO, various team principals and drivers has been interesting to watch. The liklihood of such a change happening in 2026 is not very likely but how about V10s running on synthetic fuels in 2028? Possible but highly dependent on what the engine manufacturers agree to and Audi for one is not playing ball.
Another point to remember is that, while those of us who enjoyed F1 during those glorious years of ear-splitting V8s and V10s, the audience in 2025 and beyond is changing. The sound of an F1 engine is less critical to their enjoyment of the sport as to others so the move to V10s will not resonate much with them.
Here is a great roundup of coverage of the debate and the likelihood of anything changing before 2030.
- The hidden agendas at play in the move to bring back V10s (Autosport Plus)
- Audi signals opposition to F1’s V10 plan (The Race)
- How the prospect of V10s has triggered a complex debate on F1’s future (Autosport)
- FIA considering F1 V10 return, doesn’t rule out scrapping 2026 engines (Autosport)
- Sudden switch back to V10 engines would be “a bit of a head-scratcher” for F1 (RaceFans)
- Ferrari backing? F1’s V10 engine return gathers momentum (The Race)
The FIA has confirmed TotalEnergies will take over as the World Rally Championship fuel supplier after P1 Performance Fuels went into administration. TotalEnergies, which also supplies sustainable fuel for the World Endurance Championship and the European Truck Racing Championship, will supply WRC teams from the next round of the championship in the Canary Islands from 24-27 April. Initially the company will supply FIA priority drivers at the event, before rolling out the distribution to all crews at subsequent rounds until the end of the season.
Earlier this month, Super Formula delivered a pair of entertaining races at Suzuka to kick off the 2025 season. These marked the first real acid test for the new Yokohama tyres featuring more renewable materials, as well as the change to the weekend format that had created so much intrigue — and worry — heading into the weekend reports Japan Racing Insider.
“That created a more-or-less even split between a group of early stoppers and late stoppers, which has become the familiar pattern ever since the lap 10 minimum (which remains in place for Saturday races) was imposed. And although there wasn’t a great deal of degradation with the new 46% renewable Yokohama slick, there was at least enough of a time differential between those on new and used tyres in the closing stages to provide the kind of overtaking chances fans have come to expect.”
Following a stellar breakthrough season in 2024—marked by a race win, podiums, and consistent top-five finishes—Lukas Stiefelhagen is returning to the 100% electric NXT Gen Cup full-time in 2025.
Stiefelhagen, who will also compete in the BMW Racing Cup for team Witte Raaf Racing in 2025, has established himself as both a carbon-neutral racing driver and a sustainability ambassador for the Dutch motorsport association KNAF. His return to NXT Gen Cup—in cooperation with his partners OG Clean Fuels, Vetico, Interbaro, Urban Events, LKQ, and Fleets—further reinforces his dedication to sustainable racing.
RACER reports on what went down during the recent Formula E Evo sessions in Miami. “It’s a crazy idea, right? Putting some celebrities or creators in proper racing cars sounds absolutely crazy, and I think Formula E probably did a great job to convince the teams to actually do it in the first place. But then as we went through the couple of days, you could feel that it was a fantastic success.”
Read more here.
Getting to the Track Sustainably
- Delta Air Lines & JetZero Announce Plans For A Commercial Blended Wing Airliner (Simple Flying)
- Honeywell Finds Strong Consumer Support for eVTOL Flights (AIN)
- Jet Fuel Suppliers Could Pay for UK SAF Pricing Mechanism (AIN)
- Airbus PioneerLab Targets Hybrid-electric Flight in 2027 (AIN)
- Wanfeng’s Diamond Aircraft Absorbs eVTOL Developer Volocopter (AIN)
- How Boom Supersonic Achieved ‘Boomless Cruise’ (Business Jet Traveler)
- The New Mercedes-Benz CLA Previews the Marque’s Exciting Electric Future (The Robb Report)
- Mercedes CLA Review (Electrifying)
- Why Mercedes Is Putting Transmissions in Its EVs—Starting With the CLA (The Drive)
- Tata Motors Leads with First Hydrogen Truck Trials in India (Energy Digital)
- Project aims for EV batteries that can work past minor damage (Green Car Reports)
- Hyundai Recalls Ioniq 5 N for Issue with Left-Foot Braking Feature (Road & Track)
- Chinese EV Maker BYD Says It Can Now Charge Cars in Just 5 Minutes (Robb Report)
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.
