A few years ago, Formula 1’s leadership announced a course to be carbon neutral by 2030, but these plans have been met with skepticism from people well-versed in logistics.
According to F1’s own calculations, its activities led to the emission of 256,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in 2019. Of course, the organizers of the World Cup have a certain program of action and some measures are already being taken, but the Liberty Media company, which controls the economy, is striving to increase the number of stages, and this year there will be 23 of them.
You can remember that a quarter of a century ago, in 1998, when Mika Hakkinen won his first title, the season consisted of 16 Grand Prix, and in 2004, when Michael Schumacher became world champion for the last time, of 18. But in 2024 24 races are scheduled.
At the same time, air pollution does not occur to the greatest extent during competition – it is mainly associated with the complex logistics of Formula 1, with constant travel and flights from one country to another. This year alone, championship teams will cover a distance of 120,000km, all of which will account for around 45% of the carbon footprint left by F1.
Matti Urmas, the head of the Finnish transport company Freja, knows the specifics of Formula 1 logistics very well, as he works closely with the Italian partners responsible for moving the Ferrari team around the planet. And he is very skeptical about the prospects for the F1 environmental program, citing the word “greenwashing” i.e. “Green camouflage” is one of the most common forms of environmental marketing.
“When there are many races taking place in different countries, many different vehicles are used,” Urmas told the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti. – Equipment and machines are transported by air, sea and within the European region by truck. And all this is subject to a very strict schedule.
In such circumstances, planning to be carbon neutral by 2030 is wishful thinking.”
In addition, Matti Urmas is surprised by the geography of the championship calendar, because this year, for example, the race in Miami takes place between the stages in Baku and Imola, the Canadian Grand Prix follows directly on the Spanish stage, and Formula 1 goes from Montreal to Austria .
“This kind of zigzagging only makes the environment worse,” continues the Finnish specialist. – But if financial resources are used rationally, then it would be possible to build a completely new transport chain. I have to admit meanwhile that Formula 1 is working on “green camouflage”.
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
