How You Can Help Create a Greener Formula1 as a Fan

The world of motorsports is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability within our beloved sport.

Large-scale events like Formula 1 grand prix, if not handled responsibly, can leave behind a hefty carbon footprint. It is a known fact that most of this carbon is emitted through transportation and logistics, however, there are numerous other aspects that add up to it.

To blame it all on the organisation and teams would not be fair, as a significant part of the emissions of a Grand Prix is caused by the fans and this isn’t necessarily a bad thing! It means that a big part of reducing this carbon footprint lies in our own hands.

As F1 enthusiasts, we have the power to make a difference and reduce our carbon emissions during an F1 race – and it doesn’t have to be difficult either! By simply implementing a few sustainable practices before, during, and after a race, our collective efforts can help to significantly reduce the overall carbon emissions of the event.

Here are five sustainable actions that you can take to support greener racing practices…

It’s Lights Out and Away We Go

Image: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1

We will get to what can be done during races, however, there is one mission that we need to accomplish before all that: commuting to the race as sustainably as possible. One way fans can help lower the carbon footprint of Formula 1 events is to embrace public transportation and carpooling.

Poor transportation choices have a significant impact on the environment, including the individual journeys to the races within the cities and related flights to get there in the first place.

Formula 1 is currently having the highest number of average attendees the sport has ever experienced.

The US Grand Prix had the highest attendance with 440,000 people last year and this year the 2023 Australian Grand Prix saw a record-breaking attendance of 444,000 fans from all over the world.

This means almost half a million people commuting to watch the action happening at that very moment. If you ever question how your individual action to take a sustainable route to the race makes a difference, imagine the combined effect of all those hundreds of thousands of people thinking the same thing. Formula 1, itself, is taking action to make sustainable communication more sustainable for the fans.

They partner with local transportation authorities in order to offer additional seats on public transport to reach the circuit. The Heineken Dutch Grand Prix, which was committed to encouraging fans to use environmentally friendly transport methods to get to the track, hosted over 25,000 people who travelled by bicycle to the circuit, and another 40,000 by public transportation.

So, how to get there with the lowest individual emissions possible? Preferring eco-options while flying, using public transport to commute to races and carpooling with fellow F1 fans could be some of the alternatives that you can consider. Not only are they environmentally-friendly options, but they provide a great social experience.

Using public transportation and carpooling allows you to meet other Formula 1 fans and discuss your shared passion. Moreover, carpooling helps to reduce traffic congestion and creates a safer, cleaner environment for everyone.

By using public transportation and carpooling, fans can show their commitment to sustainability and support for Formula 1 while still enjoying the thrills of attending the race.

Choose Your Accommodation Wisely

Image: Aston Martin F1

While you are in the city, another contribution you can make to lower the emissions is to look for sustainable accommodations. There are a variety of eco-friendly and sustainable options where the races are hosted, such as green certified hotels and cabins.

These places are dedicated to offering sustainable services like smart lighting and energy efficient appliances. Choosing to stay in these sustainable accommodations provides the added benefit of supporting local small businesses, a further proponent of sustainability. Now that you minimise the emissions of your accommodation and transportation, we can get to the core of the action: the race itself!

Your Own F1 Drink System

One way to support greener F1 events is to adopt a reusable water bottle – as simple as it sounds. The attendance total for the 2022 season was 5.7million, up 36% from 2019, the last year of the pandemic.

It makes an average of roughly 250.000 people per race, many of whom use single-use plastics for sustenance during the race. By switching to reusable bottles, we can significantly cut down on the amount of waste generated at these events and reduce the burden that plastic puts on the environment. In the majority of the circuits, there are plenty of water fountains on-site so that you can easily refill your personal bottle.

Furthermore, it’s important to remember to bring your own empty bottle for purchasing drinks at races. By bringing your own container, you can avoid relying on the single-use plastics offered by the vendors. Taking this small step can also go a long way in reducing waste and supporting sustainable practices. Not only will fans reduce the littering at races, but it will also send a strong message that as the fans, we care about making the grand prix as zero-waste as possible. With small changes like these, we can make a huge difference in the ecological footprint of the sport.

Carry Your Own Bag

Image: Scuderia Ferrari F1

Shopping with reusable bags is one way fans can support better environmental practices in Formula 1. When attending F1 events, many visitors may purchase souvenirs or merchandise while out and about, so reusable bags are an easy way to reduce the amount of waste generated. Usually, each team has their own plastic bags with team designs on them, so you may think that it is an integral part of the purchase.

However, many teams provide their own branded reusable bags so fans can support their favourite teams in their sustainability efforts by carrying these around with them. Not only is bringing reusable bags better for the environment, but it can also save money in the long run, as visitors no longer have to pay for multiple plastic bags for their purchases.

Engage in Proper Recycle

With carrying your own bottle and shopping bag, you can significantly minimise the waste generation during races. Still, it is not enough to magically end the need for bins. Waste is inevitable in the short-run and what’s important is to know how to handle it sustainably.

Recycling is an essential part of making grand prix more sustainable, and fans can do their part to help. For example, you can make sure to use designated waste sorting bins, avoid disposable items, and stay up to date with the latest local waste agency guidelines.

Currently, all event wastes are re-used, recycled or composted and the goal for 2030 is to ensure that only recyclable or compostable materials will be used in races. Did you know that in 2021, more than 140,000 plastic bottles were used to make F1 staff, team, media and fan accreditation passes?

Although these individual actions may seem like small steps, they collectively make a huge difference in minimising the ecological footprint of Formula 1. You might have already known all of the above, however, it is the action that counts. How many times did you actually bring your bottle and shopping bag with you to a grand prix or checked the sustainability certificates of an accommodation?

Fans should be willing to take initiatives such as these to help create an environment where our favourite motorsport will not come at the cost of nature.

Author: Öykü Ceylan