Mercedes cuts CO2 emissions with exceptions to budget cap

In the most recent F1 meeting, agreement was reached by the FIA, Formula 1 and F1 teams to exempt sustainability initiatives by teams from the budget cap. Mercedes starts with the first initiative.

The 2023 F1 calendar has reached the point of European races. The one at Imola in Italy did not go ahead and, with the exception of Canada, there are eight races in a row to go on the European continent. Mercedes have chosen to take a more sustainable approach to transporting for those races. The trucks driving from track to track will use different fuel this year.

The HVO100 fuel, which is a lot more expensive than regular fuel, can now be easily purchased due to the relaxation of the budget cap. Mercedes expects to emit as much as 89 per cent less CO₂ per kilometre with the new biofuel. And a lot of kilometres are involved. Each truck will have to cover as many as 9,000 to 10,000 kilometres in the next few months.

Mercedes does not expect to be able to reduce CO2 emissions by 89 per cent immediately either. While the F1 team is taking unexpected problems into account, it does set a target of emitting at least 60 per cent less CO₂. In absolute numbers, that amounts to a reduction in emissions of 200 tonnes of CO₂. Team boss Toto Wolff said in the press release: "Motorsport is driven by passion and we have a responsibility to use F1's global attention to be more than leaders. We are pioneers."