The Mercedes team is enduring a rough season as they consistently fail to finish at the top. Further, the team has looked like a mid-tier team since 2022, as they’re still waiting to win a race. The 2024 season has been underwhelming, with the top driver, Lewis Hamilton, leaving for Ferrari.
Moreover, the technical team has struggled to find a solution for the W15 project’s woes. The car lacks pace, is out of balance, and has some severe aerodynamic issues. However, the German outfit has taken a bold step ahead of the European leg. The team will use ‘bio-fuel’ as a commitment to reduce carbon emissions. Notably, the FIA is taking significant steps to make F1 a bio-friendly sport. Thus, the upcoming regulations will have some pro-nature changes.
FIA’s Commitment to Achieve Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2030
Motorsport uses plenty of fuel and is among the most detrimental sports for nature. However, the FIA and F1 teams are working to improve the sport’s sustainability. Mercedes has announced that it will use biofuel for the remaining season. Apparently, the team’s truck has already been using the fuel since the 2022 European phase; thus, the team will entirely rely on biofuels for the upcoming seasons. As a commitment to reduce carbon emissions, the team is taking measures to improve fuel quality. The Mercedes team and fuel partner Petronas would increase the use of HVO100 biofuel across all platforms. Moreover, the Mercedes Actros truck that ships the team’s equipment across Europe will be fueled with HVO100. Earlier in 2023, the truck traveled a distance of 386,000 kilometers, reducing carbon emissions by 339 tonnes. Apart from the trucks, the team will use the fuel in generators to power the staff rooms. Further, the team would collect all the carbon emission data after nine European races, releasing it at the end of the season.
Team Boss Toto Wolff hailed the efforts, as he feels sustainable fuels are a vital part of their transition plans. The team has also increased its investment to deliver reduced carbon emission commitments. Wolff stated that he is proud of a team driving innovative, sustainable change in F1 sport. The team’s head of Sustainability, Alice Ashpitel, said the team is keen on observing their schedule to reduce the carbon footprint. Further, Silver Arrows aims to improve efficiency while operating in an eco-friendly way.
James Allison and Toto Wollf Praises Mercedes’s Power Units Ahead Of 2026 Regulations
While the German Marque is trying to take measures for sustainability, its technical team is optimistic about the 2026 regulations. Allison is confident that Mercedes has the best powertrains, which could help it win a world championship title. Further, he said the upcoming regulation changes are similar to the 2014 era, where the Silver Arrows dominated.
The team principal, Toto Wolff, shares a similar sentiment. He firmly believes in Mercedes’ power units. During a recent media interaction, Wolff claimed their power units were the benchmark for other teams. Thus, the team would make a massive comeback in the upcoming season.
