McLaren Collaborates on F1 Sustainability Handbook
McLaren has partnered with Deloitte and the FIA to develop a handbook designed to enhance sustainability practices in the design and production of Formula 1 cars.
Introduction of the F1 Constructors’ Circularity Handbook
The F1 Constructors’ Circularity Handbook will first help all teams assess the environmental impact of their components and production methods, with the intent of promoting more sustainable practices and reducing waste.
Scope of the Handbook
Currently, the handbook focuses on the overall chassis design of the cars. However, there are plans to expand its coverage to include other elements, such as power units and tires, in future versions.
Measuring Circularity
This handbook includes guidelines for evaluating ‘circularity’, which refers to the impact of a product on the ecosystem and its potential for recycling or repurposing instead of being discarded. Teams will collect this data for their own processes and report it back to the FIA.
McLaren’s Commitment to Sustainability
Kim Wilson, McLaren’s head of sustainability, highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating, “Since 2022, we have aimed to research and develop a ‘circular’ Formula 1 car.” The goal is for each team to independently measure their practices and implement improvements in line with regulations.
Potential Regulatory Changes from FIA
FIA’s head of single-seater matters, Nikolas Tombazis, mentioned that based on the findings from the handbook, regulations may be adjusted to encourage teams to use specific materials. This approach aims to minimize environmental impact and promote the recycling of materials in designs.
Examples of Circular Practices
An example of a circularity initiative is the increasing use of recycled carbon fiber, which significantly reduces energy consumption compared to producing new fibers. Certain processes, like pyrolysis, have become popular for separating fibers from matrices. McLaren has already experimented with recycled carbon fiber at events like the 2023 United States Grand Prix.
