Loved by ‘ petrolheads ’, the highoctane world of Formula 1 ( F1 ) motor racing has for many years had a huge environmental impact , not least from the racing itself but also factors such as audience travel and the teams repeatedly moving equipment and personnel worldwide during the racing season . In 2019 F1 announced a commitment to reach Net-Zero by 2030 as part a wider sustainability strategy that includes the development of new engines and a move to 100 % sustainable fuel by 2026 . This year F1 moved to E10 fuel ; a mixture of 90 % fossil fuel and 10 % ethanol .
Silverstone MD Stuart Pringle says the venue has already made significant steps towards F1 ’ s 2030 goal : “ We are looking to reduce our footprint as significantly and as quickly as we possibly can . It ’ s a change in mindset for the way that we run the business .”
Among the changes at this year ’ s Grand Prix was the installation of 1,500 recycling bins , the adding of water points , charging stations for electric vehicles and plant-based catering options . Perhaps most significantly , more than 1,300 solar panels have been fitted on the roof of the Wing building ( pictured ) in the F1 paddock .
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“ That ’ s only half the number we intend to put up there , we ’ ll get the rest in by September ,” says Pringle . “ We ’ re going to put in a further £ 1.5 million worth of solar panels , taking our total investment to more than £ 3m . By Christmas , we ’ ll be generating 13 % of our annual energy requirement in-house .”
More than 140,000 people per day visited Silverstone over the British Grand Prix weekend in July . While many people travel to and from the circuit during the event , Pringle says 45,000 people camp for the entire event . The availability of public transport option is promoted , and from next year Silverstone will enable ticket buyers to offset their travel at the point of purchase . However , when it comes to the wider operation , Pringle is not a fan of offsetting .
“ I ’ ve seen too many companies
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Stuart Pringle |