Formula 1’s ESG half-term report

Kicking off the 2024 season, the Bahrain International Circuit utilised an onsite 3.5mw solar farm to deliver enough clean energy annually to power all of F1’s needs. Additionally, programmes were introduced to reduce waste across the circuit such as seating areas featuring upcycled materials, while food and beverage vendors were unable to sell single-use plastic products.

Sticking in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia’s biodiversity programme in Jeddah is set to contribute 50,000 square-metres of landscaping across the circuit. Excess food was donated to charities from local areas, while more than 40 schools took part in an initiative to educate young students from diverse backgrounds.

Heading down to Australia, and Melbourne’s Albert Park was powered by green energy solutions from the grid, solar panels, hydrogen cell and biofuel powered generators. Much like other circuits on the F1 calendar, reuse initiatives were put in place for food vendors. F1 also hosted a low sensory pit lane walk for those with neurodivergent sensitivities; lights were dimmed, machinery use was reduced and car engines were switched off.

You can read more about the Australian Grand Prix’s sustainability efforts, here.

The Japanese Grand Prix saw the safety and medical cars powered by 40% sustainable fuel for the first time this season. Meanwhile, the sport was gearing up to launch its first-ever Impact Report, which was published ahead of the Grand Prix in China.

In Miami, 10 local minority owned food and beverage vendors were able to trade at the Grand Prix weekend, while local students were offered the chance to see the inner workings of motorsport. After travelling back to Europe, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Italy saw Imola Circuit partner with a local female mechanics programme. Additionally, Il Tortellante – a community programme that teaches people with autism how to make fresh pasta by hand – served guests in the paddock, while Awabots connected young fans from a local hospital with their F1 heroes via a live stream.

Monaco may be known for its glitz and glamour, but it takes a lot of work behind the scenes including a focus on sustainability. A bespoke water desalination system helped to turn seawater into fresh water to wash more than 50,000 reusable cups. Elsewhere, the Automobile Club Monaco worked with an association that helps unemployed people gain new skills to upcycle last year’s bibs, posters and signage into merchandise. Renewable energy was also used across the famous street circuit to help power the weekend.

Over in Canada, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) students were able to speak to drivers and engineers about their passion. Perhaps most impressively, 97% attendees at the Canadian Grand Prix used lower carbon methods to make their way to the event.

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain has made the transition to renewable energy sources, thanks to the installation of 1,239 new solar panels. Oil drums and tyres from previous events were upcycled into walling and bins around the venue.

While Austria has been engulfed by a sea of orange over recent years (thanks to Dutch driver Max Verstappen’s fans and it being the home race of Red Bull Racing), there has been a long focus on green transport with guests encouraged to use bicycles or public transport to reach the track. Elsewhere, some 85% of key suppliers at the Red Bull Ring hail from the region of Styria.

The British Grand Prix at Silverstone was powered through multiple renewable energy sources, and is aiming to reach a waste recycling rate of 50%. Silverstone, along with Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, was named in the top three of the recently published fourth edition of the Sustainable Circuits Index. Italy’s Mugello Circuit was placed on the top step.

Ahead of the summer break, Hungary organised tours of the paddock and team garages for the local Institute for the Blind, while numerous activities in the Fan Zone promoted and educated fans around sustainability.

Since 2022, Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps has seen a 40% increase in fans using public transport, while all waste from the event is redirected from landfill, with 80% is recycled and the rest going to energy recovery.

Formula 1 is set to return with the next round in the Netherlands between August 23-25.

Images: Pixabay, Wikimedia Commons