The science that will make motorsport greener

Last week ended the 2022 Formula 1 racing season. As 20 drivers faced each other on the track with their individual seats to try to cross the finish line first in 22 tests, each test is unique in terms of design and characteristics. The winner was Dutchman Max Verstappen with the RedBull team, who also triumphed in the Constructors’ Championship. Leaving aside the competition itself, Formula 1 Serves as a test bed for builders vehiclesfrom the manufacturers of Gas and tireswho benefit from the demands of sport to improve their lives Residential complexes Innovation in product development.

Focus on zero emissions

In 2019, because New car policies that favor lower emissions, I started a whole process to make the sport sustainable. The ultimate goal is zero emissions, which the Formula 1 circus is expected to achieve by 2030. “Zero emissions” means that the amount Greenhouse gases Greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere are compensated by other means so that the final balance emitted to the atmosphere is zero. The ways to achieve this vary greatly, from the use of renewable energy in circuits, changes in logistics or obtaining Gas environmental.

What is environmental fuel?

The fuel currently used by single seaters is a mixture of 90% fuel fossil origin and 10% ethanol. however, By 2026, a change in regulation will require that 100% of Gas It comes from renewable sources and can be used in most combustion engines without the need for modification. This biofuel will be of the second generation, that is, it will be obtained from plant elements that are not suitable for consumption. For this purpose, vegetable oils, molasses and organic residues can be used or they can be directly synthesized in laboratories using more sophisticated methods.

Fossil fuel abandonment is becoming an increasingly closer reality. Photo: Roy B/Pixabay public domain

Biofuel is made Mainly by methyl esters of fatty acids -FAME for its acronym in English-. These are particles obtained from the esterification of lipids using methanol. This means that Alcohols are added to vegetable oils to change their chemical composition and form long, linear molecules. These long chains of hydrocarbons are the ones that generate energy when burned or violently compressed, ultimately moving the pistons of engines.

Given the complexity of developing this type of fuel, the question may arise: why not use electric cars? The answer is in Formula E has been a reality for nearly a decade. Which is also currently trying to achieve minimal environmental impact. To do this, they have developed more sustainable components, such as tires, that can be used in all track conditions, reducing the number of units that must be transported per test. Although, without a doubt, what sets Formula e apart is the use of electric motors and batteries. Unfortunately, The extraction of the lithium needed to manufacture it continues to have a serious environmental impact, Although progress is being made in obtaining it by very harmless methods.

departments and logistics

Many circuits already have solar panels and other renewable means by which they get much of their energy. In the case of the Circuit de Catalunya and Circuit Internationale Sacaire, all of their energy comes from renewable sourcesThis change is expected to occur in the short term on other pathways. also, By 2025, electricity for all FIA buildings must come from renewable sources. Another problem the engineers have to contend with is the hundreds of thousands of people who attend each of these events. to try to reduce the impact, There is a need for an efficient public transport network that would allow local residents to go to the precincts without having to bring their own vehicles.