Toto Wolff warns against "fuel and oil war" in quest for carbon-neutrality

Formula 1

Wolff warns against "fuel and oil war" in quest for carbon-neutrality

Formula 1 aims to be carbon-neutral by 2030

Ewan Gale

Monday 18 January 2021 05:00

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has warned Formula 1 must not create a "fuel and oil" war as technology in the sport advances.

The V6 turbo-Hybrid power units currently used are the most economical to date but that hasn't stopped the push for further improvement as F1 attempts to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint by 2030.

As part of this push, cleaner, sustainable fuels are being researched and developed with the 2030 target also including an ambition to see cars powered by 100 per cent sustainable fuels.

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Many teams are partnered with oil companies, including Mercedes with Petronas, and Wolff has warned the sport cannot afford to start a war between these partner companies.

"It is clear batteries are getting ever more efficient and energy conversion is happening," he said.

"[Then] more sustainable fuels, whether it is synthetic fuels or something else can be very interesting but need to be looked at with our fuel and oil partners, of course, because we don't want to have an escalating fuel and oil war, as interesting as it would be to push boundaries, so it's about the right compromise."

F1's environmental goals took a hit last year when Honda announced it would pull out of the sport at the end of this season to restructure itself to accommodate its own carbon-neutrality efforts.

But in contrast to Honda's decision, recently appointed Renault CEO Luca de Meo explained the push for a more environmentally-friendly formula was a driving force in keeping the team in the sport as Alpine.

"I think we also need to address this expectation because it is an expectation of society," he explained. "It is not only pushed by regulators, it is important for younger generations. We need to address this issue."