Vettel not expecting electric F1 soon: 'Power required too high'
F1 News
- Sam Godber
Formula 1 aims to be climate-neutral from 2026. For this, synthetic fuels will be used and not electric engines. According to former driver Sebastian Vettel, it is not possible to drive with electric engines in the king class of motorsport for several reasons.
Formula 1 is pushing to become climate-neutral, so among other things, the new 2026 engines, but the new qualifying format tested in Hungary should also be more sustainable. Vettel is known to think it is important to take action against climate change, for instance, at the 2022 Miami Grand Prix, the German wore a shirt that read "Miami 2060, the first Grand Prix under water".
Vettel does not see F1 going electric any time soon
Vettel, like F1, does not (yet) see electric engines as a solution to becoming climate-neutral. "F1 has always been at the forefront of technology. The current question is how relevant the very complex and impressive current technology is for street cars. More could be done on this. Electric power units will not be suitable for F1 in the foreseeable future," the German begins opposite The Red Bulletin.
Vettel gives three reasons why this is not feasible. "For that, the races take too long and the power required is too high. Weight always plays a big role in F1, another reason why electric driving is not practical. Synthetic fuels are therefore indispensable in the short term. It is good that this will happen from 2026, however, now would be better."
Vettel highlights more areas of concern
The former Red Bull Racing driver helps remind F1 that CO2 emissions can be reduced in more areas than just F1 engines. "It is even more important to get overall emissions under control: how do the teams get to the track? Of course, it would be super if everyone came by bike. It would take a lot more to get the calendar right [in terms of regionalisation]. Flying all over the world and flying to Europe for a few days in between obviously makes no sense and is no fun. How do fans get to the track? What is consumed there?"
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