Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Aims for Major Emissions Reduction and CO2 Savings with Biofuel Adoption for European Season

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, in collaboration with PETRONAS and its logistics partners, is embarking on an ambitious endeavour to achieve a more sustainable European season in Formula One by implementing biofuels. Building on the success of a trial in 2022 that resulted in an impressive 89% reduction in CO2 emissions from freight transportation, the team is committed to driving innovation and spearheading the transition to a Net Zero future.

Recognising the significant environmental impact associated with the global nature of the sport, the team is actively seeking improved and sustainable solutions for all aspects of its transportation requirements. By leveraging new sustainability regulations within the Financial Regulations of Formula One, approved by the FIA, Formula One, and the ten teams, the team aims to unlock opportunities for sustainability innovation without compromising on-track performance. The fully biofueled European season initiative represents the team's first step in this direction.

Over the course of nine races across Europe, the fleet of Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks responsible for transporting all race-related freight will be refuelled with HVO100, a second-generation biofuel. Covering distances of 9,000 to 10,000 kilometres, these trucks aim to achieve an 89% reduction in emissions for each kilometre travelled, resulting in a projected emissions reduction of over 60% and savings of 200 tonnes of CO2 by the end of the season. While challenges related to fuel supply in certain regions exist, the team remains committed to delivering on these ambitious targets and plans to publish a comprehensive analysis of the carbon emissions savings and project success at the conclusion of the season.

In addition to adopting biofuels for its truck fleet, the team will also power its race base generators, used to support Engineering trucks in the Formula One paddock, with biofuels. A dedicated PETRONAS-branded tanker truck will facilitate the delivery of biofuel from mid-season onwards. This move reflects the team's proactive approach to address its primary sources of emissions, with sustainable fuels playing a vital role in reducing its carbon footprint. Having already made pioneering investments in Sustainable Aviation Fuel, resulting in a nearly 50% reduction in emissions from race team personnel air travel, the team is now focusing on minimizing the impact of road-based freight logistics.

Alice Ashpitel, Head of Sustainability at the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, expressed the significance of achieving a fully biofueled European season and acknowledged the project's complexities and challenges. She emphasised the team's commitment to pursuing a Net Zero future, supporting wider adoption of HVO100 within the sport and logistics industries, and learning from the evidence and insights gathered during the trial.

Datuk Sazali Hamzah, Executive Vice President and CEO of PETRONAS Downstream, commended the successful use of HVO100 in freight transportation by the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. By providing a renewable and sustainably sourced solution, PETRONAS enables its partners to achieve up to 90% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. He reaffirmed PETRONAS' dedication to supporting motorsport's sustainability goals and collaborating with partners like Neste to meet the technical challenges posed by future power unit regulations.

Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, highlighted the team's commitment to using its global platform in Formula One to lead and pioneer change. In collaboration with PETRONAS, sustainable fuels are seen as integral to the team's strategy to reduce emissions and achieve Net Zero by 2030. The joint efforts of the team, PETRONAS, and logistics partners in executing this innovative and challenging project have the potential to deliver an impressive 89% emissions reduction for every kilometre covered by the team's trucks during the summer, representing a significant milestone in sustainable high performance.