• The leading motorsport intends to achieve net-zero carbon status by the end of this decade.
• F1 has ruled out switching to an all-electric powertrain such as in Formula E.

With increasing significance towards green mobility, Formula One teams are now planning to use the upcoming 2022 season as a testing ground for second-generation biofuel.

Being considered as the pinnacle of motorsports, Formula One has long acted as a testbed for various critical automobile technologies and design components. This plays a key role especially when the auto sector is contending to adopt cleaner and greener fuel technologies.

It is also worth mentioning that Formula One aspires to be carbon-neutral by the end of the decade. Amid these efforts, the FIA (International Automobile Federation) is increasing the proportion of ethanol in the fuel mix for the 2022 season.

The Formula One teams competing in the upcoming season will use the E10 fuel, which is the same gasoline available across Europe. For those unaware, the E10 is a combination of 10% ethanol and 90% petrol, thus helping in reducing the pollutants emitted by F1 racing cars.

In comparison to the current 5.75% bio-component mixture utilized by the F1 teams, the 2022 season will see a higher percentage of ethanol mix. This will be a second-generation biofuel that will be produced sustainably. 

Formula One also intends to switch to a new powertrain system by 2026, which would use 100% sustainable fuels. However, the motorsport major has ruled out switching to an all-electric powertrain such as in Formula E.

Instead, it will prioritize the use of sustainable fuels in combustion-based engines, with an enhanced hybrid system. This should help in accelerating the development of hybrid powertrain technology, which will be then widely used in the mass auto segment as well.

Source Credits –

https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/cars/2022-formula-one-season-to-be-testing-ground-for-sustainable-fuels-41634455583369.html