The EU asks F1 to adopt more eco-friendly measures!

The European Parliament has asked the FIA, the governing body of Formula 1, and the teams to make the sport more environmentally friendly. This is with the aim of changing public attitudes, as they would see that even the premier discipline of motorsports is adopting more ecological technologies.

In a report supported by the European Parliament, called CARS 21, a call for several changes in the automotive industry regarding the reduction of CO2 emissions was made.

However, this report highlights the impact on populations that motorsport could have if it were to adopt much more environmentally friendly technologies.

This same report, which was adopted with 607 votes in favor, 76 against, and 14 abstentions, aims to make F1 greener.

The declaration states: « The deputies acknowledge the leading role that sport can play in influencing public attitudes and behaviors towards environmentally friendly technologies. »

« the European Parliament therefore calls on the FIA and other parties involved in F1 to amend their regulations accordingly, so that environmentally friendly technologies such as biofuels or hybrid engines are more easily applicable and usable. »

The F1 teams have already adopted the Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) which will come into effect at the beginning of the 2009 season. They have agreed to a five-year engine freeze. This will result in reduced costs and the engines will be more environmentally friendly.

BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen stated at the launch of his new car that he was genuinely enthusiastic about the ideas brought by the KERS.

« The KERS will be a great challenge for the engineers because they have to deal not only with the engine we are using today, but also with a very complex system that includes the electric generator, electric motors, the storage unit, and electronics. There is enormous potential that we can exploit, » he said.

« This project is very encouraging because it will allow F1 to truly incorporate the technologies of tomorrow. »