How does Formula One realize its alternative fuel strategy in 2025?

As the F1 calendar reached its European leg, Formula 1 shared details about its alternative fuel strategy will that will help the sport achieve its ambitious goals of becoming Net Zero by 2030.

The alternative fuel strategy will build on trials in recent years. It means that 37 biofueled trucks will deliver freight for the events, a renewable and centralised energy system will power the pit and paddock areas, and the F2 and F3 championships will continue to race on 100% advanced sustainable fuel ahead of Formula 1 moving to sustainably fuelled cars in 2026.

The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was the first of the nine European races in 2025, and it saw the sport use a low carbon energy system across the paddock area, which F1 revealing that it "delivered an approximate 90% reduction in associated carbon emissions."

The system has been supplied by Aggreko, and it was first trialled at the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix, and the 2024 Austrian, Hungarian, and Italian Grands Prix, "all of which yielded significant carbon reductions in the Paddock, Pit Lane, and Event Technical Centre."

The paddock-wide solution will centralise energy supply into one compound powered by renewable sources such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), solar panels, and battery energy storage systems (BESS). It also means that Formula 1, the ten teams, and the FIA will not be reliant on their own generators anymore.

As for the return of DHL’s biofuel fleet trucks, F1 has revealed that the use of biofuel-powered trucks resulted in an average reduction of logistics-related emissions by 83% compared to traditional fuels in 2023. This year, DHL will once again use 37 of its trucks to transport freight across Europe.

Furthermore, F1's two main feeder series F2 and F3 cars made the move to Aramco’s 100% advanced sustainable fuel, following the use of 55% sustainable fuel last season. This move comes ahead of the Formula 1 cars adopting the fuels in 2026 in the new hybrid engines that will take to the circuit next year.

F1 noted that "the fuel developed by Formula 1 will be a ‘drop-in’ and can be used in road cars without modification, serving as a sustainable alternative of global benefit."

In addition, Formula 1 made significant investments in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) last year, delivering an estimated 80% reduction in associated carbon emissions per flight compared to the use of conventional aviation fuel and an approximate 19% reduction in related emissions compared to traditional aviation fuel across the flyaway events of the 2024 season.

Commenting on the announcement, F1's Head of ESG Ellen Jones said: “It is incredibly exciting to see our alternative fuel strategy deliver significant carbon reductions across the European season and beyond.

"We remain on track to be Net Zero by 2030, and it is new technologies and innovations such as this that will see us hit our goal. Working with our partners, as well as all of our teams and the FIA, the sport is proving that you can grow sustainably, with no compromise to our on-track product or fan experience.”