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Mercedes sets 'important' goal: 'To become one of the most sustainable sports teams'
- Ludo van Denderen
With a record 24 Grand Prix weekends around the world, it is a huge challenge for additionally volume-growing F1 teams to make a sustainable impact - even though this is Formula 1's ambition. The sustainability report presented by Mercedes F1 Team on Tuesday shows that it is indeed possible for a major racing team - which puts performance first - to successfully work towards a better world.
The team of CEO Toto Wolff announces with pride there is a 10 percent overall reduction in market-based Race Team Control emissions with sustainable fuel (SAFc) versus 2022. Another highlight is a 6,695 tCO2e reduction in business travel emissions in 2023 through the use of SAFc. 67% reduction in emissions and 339 tCO2e saved through the use of HVO100 biofuel across the European season in race and hospitality trucks and generators.
Mercedes works on diversity issue
Not only does Mercedes want to make a positive impact on the environment, certainly also on diversity. For example, the target of bringing in new staff from under-represented groups by 25 per cent annually has been more than met since 2021. Also, the gender pay gap has been reduced by 23.9 per cent on average. In addition, the LGBTQ+ Forum and Working Family Network have been set up by team members. Mercedes F1 also supports more than 100 international, national and local charities.
Commenting on the results achieved, Toto Wolff said, "As a Formula One team our efforts are judged by millions every time we go racing. Every race, every practice, and every test sharpen the mind and help us chase every millisecond. Although we report annually on our sustainability progress, the commitment to optimise our operations and pursue sustainable high performance is always front of mind."
"Just like on track, we aim to improve our performance in every area, and our annual Sustainability Report serves as a reminder of everything that’s happening behind the scenes. Yes, we report on our results - our footprint; our demographics; our codes and policies but it’s much more than that - it’s about our people; their collective power and our impact on the world within and beyond motorsport," Wolff said.
Wolff hopes others follow Mercedes' example
The Austrian continued: "This reaches well beyond what we must do; it’s about our innovation and what we can achieve by inspiring others to follow. We are privileged to work in a sport that demands high-performance teamwork, technology, and innovation. We have a responsibility to harness those elements, as well as our people and our global platform, to go further faster."
"It matters to me, our team members, our partners and, importantly, fans of our sport. Ultimately, our ambition is to become one of the most sustainable global professional sports teams. It’s a long-term goal but an important one; we set ourselves big challenges and recognise that it will take all of us to get there.”
This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy