This is the final weekly Sustainable Motorsport Roundup
After today’s issue, this roundup moves from weekly to quarterly, both on the blog and in the newsletter. Starting in January, 2027, I’ll publish Sustainability & the Self-Funded Driver, a short review each quarter on what sustainability means for drivers: costs, travel, gear, fuels, electric and hydrogen racing, and sponsorship, plus a Verified Pro Spotlight.
What to expect:
- One issue per quarter, with the first due January 13, 2027.
- A focus on what changes a driver’s budget, how they race or who they hire, rather than general news.
- My technology-agnostic view of what works, what it costs and who it affects.
Every past issue stays on the blog at: https://motorsportprospects.com/category/business-of-motorsport/sustainable-motorsport/. Nothing is being deleted.
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Thank you for following sustainable motorsport with me. If there’s a topic you’d like covered, please let me know. Meanwhile, here are the latest developments in sustainable motorsport this week.
Overview
Sustainable Motorsport News
Green Starting Line – How to Design and Retrofit a Zero-Emission Racetrack
How can racetracks reduce their environmental impact without losing the heritage and infrastructure that make them iconic? This article from Dr Maja Czarzasty-Zybert explores how new and existing circuits can move towards zero-emission operations through renewable energy, water recycling, sustainable construction materials, electrified transport and smarter facility management.
From designing greener circuits from the ground up to retrofitting historic venues such as Monza, Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone, it examines how motorsport facilities can become more sustainable while supporting wider environmental goals. For the motorsport industry, the message is clear: sustainability must extend beyond the cars on track to encompass the entire racing ecosystem.
GAZOO Racing Accelerates Preparations for its 2027 Dakar Rally FCEV Challenge
GAZOO Racing has revealed further details about its fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV)* challenge on the 2027 Dakar Rally, including the driver-navigator crew for the gruelling event, as well as the first technical information about the DKR GR FC Hilux.
As part of its commitment to making ever-better motorsports-bred cars, GAZOO Racing will enter the Dakar Future Mission 1000 category, which is dedicated to experimental vehicles and new technologies. This project marks Toyota’s first full-fledged entry in a motorsport competition with a hydrogen-powered FCEV. The project is also a further example of GAZOO Racing utilizing the motorsport arena to train people and develop talent. You can get the full details here.
MissionH24 at the European Hydrogen Week in Brussels
Hydrogen is more than just a trend, and Brussels has clearly recognized this. From October 26 to 30, 2026, the city will host the H2 Week, organized by the European Commission, Hydrogen Europe, the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, and UNIDO (the United Nations Industrial Development Organization) at Brussels Expo. MissionH24, the collaborative program between the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and H24Project to promote hydrogen in motorsports, is participating in this international event bringing together policymakers, institutions, and a wide range of stakeholders in the hydrogen sector.
As part of this, Hiroki Nakajima, Executive Vice President of Toyota, gave an interview in the October ACO H2 newsletter. You can read the interview here.
Audi Motosport AG Retains its Three-Star FIA Environmental Accreditation
Audi Motosport AG has successfully retained the Three-Star FIA Environmental Accreditation, the highest level of the FIA Environmental Accreditation Programme.
Since first achieving accreditation in 2022, we’ve continued to develop our environmental management approach, building on our ISO 14001-certified system and a commitment to continuous improvement. The accreditation independently assesses areas ranging from carbon and energy management to waste, procurement and stakeholder engagement.
SUSTAIN Named as Official Sustainable Fuel Partner for Lola Cars’ T70S Project
Lola Cars and the Coryton Innovation Hub have announced that SUSTAIN will be the Official Sustainable Fuel Partner for testing and production of the T70S and T70S GT.
SUSTAIN focuses on developing responsible and sustainable fuels that contribute towards the push for net zero. Produced at the Coryton Innovation Hub by the Aspen Group, SUSTAIN Racing and Classic fuels are used throughout the motorsport sector and beyond, with a range of blends also available to the public.
For the development of the T70S and T70S GT, SUSTAIN has provided a bespoke fuel blend technically tailored for racing vehicles. This product uses advanced second-generation biofuel that recycles carbon already in the atmosphere, rather than releasing additional carbon from fossil fuels that are currently locked underground. Containing 100% sustainable content, it allows the fuel to deliver an 80% greenhouse gas (GHG) saving compared to fossil fuels while ensuring exceptional, reliable performance.
SUSTAIN’s fuel characteristics mean Lola Cars can continue maximising the sustainability credentials of the T70S, which saw a 54% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared with conventional manufacturing benchmarks thanks to cutting-edge manufacturing innovations. The fuel will be used for the development of all 16 cars due to be produced across both track (T70S) and road (T70S GT) variants.
How McLaren Uses F1 Tech To Restore The Great Barrier Reef
How can Formula 1 engineering help restore one of the world’s most threatened marine ecosystems? McLaren Racing is applying its high-performance engineering expertise to coral restoration in partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, developing a robotic system called OSCAR that cuts the assembly time for coral planting devices from 90 seconds to under 10.
The technology aims to help scale restoration from 100,000 to one million corals annually while reducing costs and improving efficiency. As McLaren explores smaller, portable versions for use in other regions, the project demonstrates how motorsport’s focus on precision, automation and continuous improvement can deliver environmental benefits far beyond the racetrack.
Prova: Delivering Both Innovation and Heritage
How can a motorsport communications agency combine a passion for racing heritage with a commitment to future mobility? In this FE Notebook feature, Sam Smith profiles Prova, the UK-based PR and commercial specialist whose work spans historic motorsport, electric vehicle innovation and sustainable technology. From helping manufacturers launch EVs and promoting charging infrastructure to supporting motorsport engineering companies and bringing investment into racing, Prova demonstrates how industry expertise and effective storytelling can connect traditional motorsport with emerging technologies and commercial opportunities.
Environmental Claims in Sport: What the EU’s EmpCo Directive Means for Clubs, Sponsors and Broadcasters
A new European Union regulation has recently come into effect to help ensure that sustainability claims are credible and consumer-friendly and raise the bar for how such claims are communicated. LawInSport reports on what this directive means for sports clubs, sponsors and broadcasters.
Sustainable Motorsport Tech
Mueller at Monza: What Porsche Ace Experienced
Nico Mueller was one of three drivers to sample the Porsche GEN4 Formula E car at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza last week, and the winner of one of last season’s Berlin E-Prixs believes that it is something of a landmark for the all-electric World Championship. FE Notebook reports back on what Mueller’s impressions were of the new Gen4 race car.
Sustainable Racing
Kart Champion Lee Min-jae to Compete in 2027 Electric Race
Lee Min-jae, a 2012-born kart champion, is challenging South Korea’s top-tier electric vehicle race as a middle school student. The promising driver, who became the youngest champion in the domestic senior class at age 7, is embarking on a new challenge through the Hyundai N Festival eN1 Class in 2027.
MIK Racing announced that it has signed Lee for a three-year contract from the 2027 season to the 2029 season. Lee will compete in the eN1 Class, the top-tier electric vehicle race of the Hyundai N Festival, as a team member in the 2027 season. Prior to this, he will participate in the final N1 Class of the 2026 Hyundai N Festival to adapt to racing cars.
Series News
Extreme H Postpones Second World Cup Event
This year’s edition of the FIA Extreme H World Cup has been postponed, the event organizers have confirmed.
Initially set for October 29-31 in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia, it was to be the second running of the annual competition for motorsport’s only hydrogen-powered series. But owing to logistical challenges brought about by recent events in the region, the 2026 competition will no longer go ahead as planned later this week.
Alternative arrangements for the event to take place in 2027 are already being explored.
“The FIA and Extreme H remain committed to working with their partners in Saudi Arabia to ensure the successful delivery of the second edition of the FIA Extreme H World Cup in 2027. Both parties thank their partners in Saudi Arabia for their continued cooperation and commitment to the event.”
‘Unleashed E-Prix’ Planned for Jarama Test
The traditional pre-season Formula E test, that this year will take place at Jarama the venue of the 16th and 17th rounds of the 2026-27 world championship, will feature 18 hours of track running and two mocked up E-Prix simulations, including the first ever ‘Unleashed’ race trial.
Track testing is set to take place across Monday 16th, Wednesday 18th and Friday 20th November at the scene of the Madrid E-Prix. The first ever group test, with what should be all 12 teams, will mean that a full grid of Formula E cars will run concurrently for the first time since the 2021 Berlin E-Prix.
Formula E’s Awkward 12th Entry Questions Explained
The addition of the final licence in Formula E, owned by Porsche but taken up and run by the new Fusion Formula E Team, is presenting some complex questions presently. FE Notebook looks to answer questions about this 12th Formula E team.
Simpler, Cheaper Hybrid V8s Proposed for Next F1 Rules
Formula 1’s next engine regulations are set to introduce V8 turbo hybrid engines that are simplified and less expensive to make compared to the existing rules.
A proposal document sent by governing body the FIA to the six manufacturers in F1 outlines a framework for discussions on engines to be introduced in either 2030 or 2031. The BBC has all the details here.
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects and the host of the Motorsport Prospects Podcast. As a lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.
