The rise of synthetic fuel in motorsport is the topic of a few of the articles I link to in this week’s edition of the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup. I also have news on the use of hydrogen technology in Dakar 25, the SCCA’s plans for racing EVs and much more!
Sustainable Motorsport News
Towards the end of 2023, Matt Simmonite (that’s his race car in the photo above) wrote an article in Driven about the untimely demise of internal combustion engines. Matt is immersed in the world of synthetic fuels and E Fuels, and 15 months on, he has followed up on his thoughts after a full year of further synthetic fuel use.
“What a year it’s been since my first musings on the future of the internal combustion engine (ICE). Back then, the narrative seemed set: ICE was destined for a swift exit, with governments, manufacturers, and eco-advocates hailing an all-electric utopia by 2035. Yet, here we are, at the very start of a new year, witnessing an unexpected twist in the tale. The future of ICE isn’t as bleak as once thought, with synthetic fuels and hybrids stepping into the limelight, reshaping the landscape of automotive progress.”
Read the full article here.
Carbon Positive Motorsport is supporting the Coronel Dakar Team as they embark on their epic journey at Dakar 25. “Reflecting on Carbon Positive Motorsport’s role in the Dakar Rally, Director Steve Smith, said:“Our commitment to sustainability in motorsport goes hand in hand with celebrating the spirit of competition. Supporting the Coronel Dakar Team is a perfect example of how we can enjoy motorsport’s thrilling challenges while minimising our environmental impact.” Read more about their involvement here.
Continuing with Carbon Positive Motorsport, their philosophy on supporting junior drivers and championships is about more than just motorsport. It’s about shaping a culture where sustainability and competition go hand in hand and they explain how they go about it in Shaping Motorsport’s Green Future.
“Zak’s journey is one we’re incredibly proud to be part of. By offsetting the carbon emissions from his rallying activities, we’re helping him compete sustainably and set an example for his peers,” commented Carbon Positive Motorsport founder, Paul Glass. “His commitment to rallying and the environment aligns perfectly with our vision, and his journey reminds us why we’re committed to fostering talent while ensuring motorsport becomes more sustainable.”
Learn more about the logistics of a global motorsport championship… and how Formula E and DHL are changing the game in sustainability. Watch the video on LinkedIn here that explains the changes.
The MoneyGram Haas F1 Team has retained its Three-Star Environmental Accreditation, the highest level of recognition for work in environmental sustainability.
“MoneyGram Haas F1 Team’s sustainability journey started in 2021, being awarded Two-Star accreditation before gaining Three-Star accreditation the following year. Auditors noted the passion and knowledge of the sustainability taskforce as well as making strategic planning a priority for its future progression.”
Autosport has more details on the all electric FAT Karting League and their work to equalize the field for all drivers.
“Next year, along with relaunching our UK hub, we are opening two more in the US with four more to follow the year after. In 2025 the three hubs will work in isolation as their own championships, but competitors will also build points towards a big event at the end of the year: the FAT World Finals.From that, the best driver from the age-appropriate categories – we run racing series for children from six to 17 – will graduate through a prize drive to car racing in Formula 4. Our ambition is to push someone through F4, F3, F2 – and then you know what comes next.”
Read more at Autosport here. For information on the FAT Karting League go here.
Organizers of the Goodwood Revival are proud to announce the event has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Motorsport UK Environmental Sustainability Award. Established in 2012, the award was created to acknowledge a truly exceptional achievement or contribution towards environmental responsibility and active promotion of sustainability within motorsport activities, events and communications.
Sustainable Motorsport Tech
Here are two fascinating articles on the science of F1 fuel and the path being followed to get to 100% synthetic fuel in Formula 3 and Formula 2 by 2027.
“The 2025 fuel that will land in F2 and F3 is classified as ‘advanced sustainable’ because it contains at least 70 per cent sustainable components. The FIA defines a sustainable component as either a second-generation biomolecule or the product of non-bio carbon capture and synthetic processes.”
- Inside the science of F1 fuel (Autosport Plus)
- F2 and F3’s Shared Pathway Towards Fully Synthetic Fuel (Racecar Engineering)
DynaCERT has announced that it will feature its HydraGen technology at the Dakar 2025 Truck race after a successful outing last year. DynaCERT is supporting the French team Normandy Racing Solutions (NRS) in the 2025 Dakar and Dakar Classic.
Last year, a Dakar truck was equipped with a DynaCERT HydraGen HG1 unit. After this successful deployment, DynaCERT’s technology will be back in the Saudi Arabian desert for the most challenging off-road race in the world to showcase its HydraGen carbon reduction technology.
HydraGen uses electrolysis to turn distilled water into hydrogen and oxygen gases that are produced on demand and incorporated into the engine via the air intake. DynaCERT’s proprietary HydraGen technology is designed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, NOx, CO2, THC and particulate matter.
PMW has more details on the technology.
Last November, the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) held a “Human versus AI” race at Suzuka Circuit in Japan. The showdown was between former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat and a fully-autonomous Artificial Intelligence (AI) – both driving racecars featuring Bcomp technology.
Bcomp’s ampliTex™ and powerRibs™ were used in the bodywork construction of both the SF23 and EAV24. Bcomp natural fibre composite technologies were combined with carbon fibre in a 70:30 ratio, only using carbon in areas of high load and structural significance. This approach uses the best of both worlds, showing impressively how to maximise the natural fibre content on the highest level of motorsports.
More information on this technology can be found at the Bcomp website here.
Sustainable Racing
Jim Rogaski, a member of SCCA’s Electrified Vehicle Advisory Committee, a group tasked with the development and potential implementation of rules based around electric vehicles within the SCCA, explains how the SCCA is getting ready for EV racing.
The Sports Car Club of America® has also evolved over its 80-plus year span from a club interested in automobiles to a nationwide organization of motorsport enthusiasts. We are continually adapting the Club to the constant change in the automotive industry, adopting new programs and making adjustments to the rules to address changes in the vehicles we drive daily and in competition. In all of this, electrified vehicles (EVs) have become more and more popular as daily drivers.
EVs are now also being used in several professional racing series. Several of SCCA’s Regions have adopted local Regional-only SCCA Road Racing classes for EVs. SCCA’s National Solo program has also recognized the need to allow our members to participate in their series by including them in some Street classes as well as developing classes specifically for EVs.
More details can be found at the SCCA site here.
Is the new electric Dodge Charger Daytona any good on track? Watch the video above from Grassroots Motorsports to find out.
Series News
As Formula E prepares for their second race of the season, The Race has five key questions that will be answered in 2025. They look at:
- Will the EV market’s volatility impact Formula E?
- Can harmful calendar chasms be avoided?
- Will it ever make money?
- Will Gen4 avoid the problems of Gen3 build-up?
- What about the undercard?
You can read the full article here.
This weekend’s Hankook Mexico City E-Prix will be powered by 100% renewable energy using Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO), reducing emissions by up to 90%.
The Race reports that Hyundai is reputedly to be in talks with McLaren over a Formula E entry. “And while The Race can reveal that those discussions, which are ongoing, are unlikely to result in a manufacturer entry for the start of the Gen4 era in 2026, the halfway point of the next rules cycle in 2028 could be a realistic entry point.”
Read the full report here.
Formula 1 has made no secret of their plan to rationalize their calendar on a geographic basis as part of their NetZero30 plan with rotating races as part of the process. Now that Spa has signed on as the first race that will take place on a rotational basis, Autosport looks at how it will all work and why they are doing it.
- How F1’s plan for rotating races could look in practice (Autosport Plus)
- What Spa’s new deal tells us about F1’s calendar plans (Autosport)
- Is F1 calendar rotation a cash grab or a sensible move? Our writers have their say (Autosport)
Continuing with F1, Jonathan Noble explains in Autosport why F1 must find a solution to its wasted tires problem.
“Pirelli says that 935 sets of slicks – just more than 15% of the total taken to races – were fitted to rims and never left the garage. Furthermore, 948 sets of slicks (15.5%) completed between just one and three laps – being used either just for qualifying or in quali sims in practice.”
Read his full description of the problem here.
Nico Rosberg’s Rosberg X Racing (RXR) has announced it will be ceasing operations following four years competing in Extreme E.
“Building RXR wasn’t just about racing; it was about creating a purpose-driven team that could make a real difference,” he said. “From our championship wins to our environmental and equality initiatives, we’ve accomplished so much together. While it’s bittersweet to close this chapter, I am proud of what we’ve achieved.”
Read more about the closure at RACER.
The Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship (ETRC) is accelerating its mission to lead sustainable motorsport with a focus on hydrogen as a key energy source for the future. By fostering innovation and collaboration, the Championship is actively exploring hydrogen as a viable energy source for commercial vehicles and motorsport applications. Read more about their plans here.
Getting to the Track Sustainably
- Honda 0 Series EV prototypes debut, to be made in US in 2026 (Green Car Reports)
- Review: 2024 Porsche Macan Turbo Electric throws its weight around effectively (Green Car Reports)
- 2025 BMW i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe First Test Review: an EV for Driving Enthusiasts (MotorTrend)
- GM working on mixed-chemistry EV battery packs (Green Car Reports)
- Hyundai’s developing in-wheel electric motors (Green Car Reports)
- Toyota’s Hydrogen Car Dream Is Falling Apart (MSN)
- Honda and Nissan merger planned by 2026 to fend off Tesla and Chinese EVs (Green Car Reports)
- The 2025 BMW i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe Is an EV for Driving Enthusiasts (Motor Trend)
- Amtrak’s sleek new high-speed electric trains are coming next spring (Fast Company)
- This Modular, Software Defined Commercial Vehicle Is Fully Drive-By-Wire (MotorTrend)
- New Electric ‘Donut Motor’ Makes 856 HP but Weighs Just 88 Pounds (The Drive)
- SAF Map Locator (AIN)
- Another California Airport Joining the SAF Set (AIN)
- UK’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel mandate enters into force (edie)
- IATA Disappointed in Slow SAF Growth (AIN)
- Supersonic XB-1 Takes 8th Flight Sporting ‘Shark Skin’ Underbelly (Simple Flying)
- Lilium Announces Buy-out Deal With American and European Investors (AIN)
- 7 Electric Aircraft That Will Shape the Future of Flying (Robb Report)
- Why Was 2024 a Disappointingly Slow Year for SAF Production? (Energy Digital)
- New study highlights differing strategies and barriers to decarbonising aviation in UK and Europe (Green Air News)
- Financing will be paramount for achieving our collective goals for a net zero future, says ICAO Secretary General (Green Air News)
- Signature Teams With Eve to Assess eVTOL Ground Support (Business Jet Traveler)
- U.S. Start-up Nimbus Flies Electric Bizjet Demonstrator (AIN)
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.
