Alpine boss, Cyril Abiteboul believes that moving forward Formula One has the opportunity to play a "great role" in the future of energy technology.

With an eye on the new engine formula, currently scheduled for 2025/26, while already committed to introducing sustainable fuels the sport is also looking to once again become the proving ground for technology used on the road.

Governments worldwide are looking to phase out internal combustion engine powered by fossil fuels by the end of the decade, and with that in mind Alpine boss, Cyril Abiteboul believes F1 can be at the cutting edge.

"I think that there is a very interesting sort of area that is going to open for energy development," said the Frenchman. "I think Formula 1 will become a sport all about energy; what type of fuel do we want, what type of battery do we want to use also.

"I see that these things will be very important in terms of breakthrough for the industry and in my opinion, Formula 1 has a great role to play, to lead the way in that respect and clearly these things will have an impact, not just on the sport.

"It means not just on the automotive but frankly at the very large scale to really look forward, this type of contribution of Formula 1."

The engine manufacturers have already been sent the first batches of sustainable fuel in order for them to assess its suitability for the next generation of power units as the sport seeks to become carbon neutral from this year and net zero by 2030.

That said, there is already dissent in terms of when the new fuels should be introduced, with Mercedes and Red Bull calling for their planned introduction next season to be delayed.

"The FIA takes its responsibility in leading motor sport and mobility into a low carbon future to reduce the environmental impacts of our activities and contribute to a greener planet," said Jean Todt after the FIA approved the ambitious environmental strategy plan last month. "I'm glad that our Members Clubs approve our environmental strategy that is part of the Purpose Driven initiative focused on the societal contribution of our two pillars. By developing fuel made from bio waste that can power Formula 1, we are taking a new step forward. With the support of the world's leading energy companies, we can combine the best technological and environmental performance."

"Our top sustainability priority now is building a roadmap for the hybrid engine that reduces emissions and has a real world benefit for road cars," added F1 MD, Ross Brawn. "We believe we have the opportunity to do that with a next generation engine that combines hybrid technology with sustainable fuels."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 05/01/2021 19:54

"The only V10's and screamers we'll see are during the Historic F1 supporting races on Saturday :-("

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2. Posted by Superbird70, 05/01/2021 14:09

"@Editor, my apologies. Force of habit looking for a primary source. It just highlights the scope of the reporting done by this site."

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3. Posted by Editor, 05/01/2021 14:04

"@ Superbird70

Funny enough it's on Pitpass also:

https://www.pitpass.com/68930/Manufacturers-receive-first-barrels-of-sustainable-fuel"

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4. Posted by Superbird70, 05/01/2021 13:59

"From the FIA website; 'One of the most significant steps to achieving this goal has been the research, development and production by the FIA’s Technical Department of a 100 % sustainable fuel, developed to stringent F1 specifications, able to power Formula One cars. As a second-generation biofuel variety, meaning it is exclusively refined using bio-waste, not intended for human or animal consumption, the first barrels are now with F1’s Power Unit manufacturers for testing and validation. The objective is to demonstrate the technology works and to lead F1 suppliers to develop their own fuels, with the mandatory requirement of 100% sustainable fuels in F1 targeted by the introduction of the new powertrain architecture. From 2021, other FIA championships, such as the European Truck Racing Championship, will also be able to use sustainable fuel.; '"

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5. Posted by kenji, 05/01/2021 13:36

"I have recently read that the FIA delivered drums of synthetic fuel to the teams to experiment with. The FIA want to introduce these fuels in '22 it was stated. Does any poster here know the origin of this fuel or what type of biomass was used to produce it. One rumour had it that it was a cellulosic ethanol but it would help to know what it really is? This type of fuel has benn quoted as reducing 'green house gases' by 86%!!! Believe it or not."

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6. Posted by Lakota, 05/01/2021 13:32

"They have classes in Lemans and ESeries for that. Bring back the V-10s"

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7. Posted by flyinglap, 04/01/2021 16:11

"This whole "sustainability" agenda that it is being forced upon the entire world is based on a flawed premise, i.e. that CO2 is "bad". In reality, plants inhale CO2 and exhale oxygen, while living beings inhale oxygen (air) and exhale CO2, in divine harmony. Electrification simply has to do with digitalization, which in turn combined with connectivity enables total and global control of everyone and everything. The ICE is not only a symbol of freedom or a (future) remnant of the past, it is a tool for freedom, and as such it must be preserved for the sake of humanity. And indeed, racing may be instrumental in preserving the ICE and ultimately freedom. One relatively simple way might be transitioning to synthetic fuels and/or hydrogen in combination with ICE. There is no plausible reason why we should only have fuel cell cars and/or battery electric cars. By the way, it should always be remembered that world affairs and history are viewed most accurately as a struggle for power and wealth, nothing more and nothing less. Therefore, that should be the context of "sustainability" as well."

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8. Posted by Superbird70, 04/01/2021 15:45

"An option may be ICE using hydrogen instead of carbon based fuel."

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9. Posted by kenji, 04/01/2021 13:37

"F1 should embrace this initiative ASAP so that Gov's can be'set back' in their ridiculous attempts to ban the ICE. It would sound the death knell if F1 were to go to full electrification. That is not and never will be F1. It may become something else but it won't be F1. IMO the ICE is a work of art whereas an electric motor is 'blah'... by comparison. An item mass produced by robots. Where is the art in that? ICE's have a life and a voice with fuel and oil being their lifeblood. As an engineer i've always looked at engines as something that embodies the creative side of engineers. Hopefully the new PU's of '25/'26 are not lifeless lumps that do nothing for the imagination like a V10 screaming at 20000RPM...now that is something else to behold."

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F1 to be "all about energy" predicts Abiteboul

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