The Mercedes team is indeed back with a phenomenal victory in its backyard. After almost two years of being in the rut, the Silver Arrows announced its comeback in some fashion. While the Austrian GP victory resulted from the Verstappen-Norris crash, the British GP win was emphatic. However, the German Marque’s success is not limited to its on-track performance.
The Silver Arrows are on a mission to make F1 a sustainable sport. Although there are 24 GPs around the globe every year, it is a task for the F1 teams to leave a sustainable mark. However, the Brackley-based crew is determined to become the most eco-friendly sports team, as they released the annual sustainability report on Tuesday.
The Five Diverse Domains Of Mercedes Sustainable Blueprint
The team works in every domain, from its factory to transportation, to ensure complete sustainability. On Tuesday, team boss Toto Wolff proudly highlighted the significant impact the team has made in recent years towards eco-friendly developments. They used Sustainable fuel (SAFc), which reduced the market-based Race Team Control emission by 10%. Moreover, they could reduce 6695 tCO2e with the use of SAFc. Notably, the team aims to achieve Race Team Control Net Zero by 2030. Also, the team used an HVO100 biofuel for the European leg, which reduced emissions by 67%. Further, the factory employs 100% electricity from renewable sources by purchasing a Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origins (REGO) certificate. Additionally, the team has launched the ‘Accelerate 25’ campaign, which focuses on diversifying the team members. Since 2021, the team has hired 25% from the under-represented groups.
Apart from the eco-friendly initiatives, the team also focuses on Charity work. The team aims to raise £75,000 by the end of 2024, and they have already raised £16,000 as of December 2023. The team organizes several events to raise money, like a friendly football match with Aston Martin or team-karting knights. In addition, the team supports over 1,000 international, national, and local charitable events.
Toto Wolff emphasized the intense scrutiny Formula One teams face, with millions watching their every move during races, practices, and tests. This constant pressure sharpens their focus and drives their relentless pursuit of every millisecond of improvement. While the team provides annual reports on their sustainability progress, their commitment to optimizing operations and achieving sustainable high performance remains a constant priority.
The Austrian executive explained that they strive for excellence on the track and aim to enhance performance in all areas. The annual Sustainability Report not only details their results, such as their environmental footprint, demographics, codes, and policies, but it also highlights the broader impact of their efforts. The report underscores their collective team’s power and influence on the world, both within and beyond motorsport.
Toto Wolff Urges Others to Follow Mercedes’ Lead On Sustainability
Toto Wolff highlighted that their efforts extend beyond obligatory measures, focusing on innovation and inspiring others to follow suit. He acknowledged the privilege of working in a sport that demands high-performance teamwork, technology, and innovation. Wolff emphasized their responsibility to leverage these elements, their global platform, and talented people to advance rapidly.
He stressed that sustainability is a priority for him, the team members, their partners, and the fans. Their ultimate goal is to become one of the most sustainable professional sports teams globally. While it’s a long-term objective, Wolff underscored the importance of this challenge and the collective effort required to achieve it.
