Sustainable Business magazine - essential reading for sustainability professionals
Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/137958
Technology Formula One 2/4 the sport itself, but also to bring forward environmental technologies for the "greater good", says F1 team Vodafone Mclaren Mercedes' managing director, Jonathan Neale. "In a sense, Formula One acts as a sort of test-bed for innovations that are then carried through into the wider automotive industry", says Neale. "We've already seen this with the transfer of KERS, which has been implemented into hybrid road cars". Over the last few years, Formula One has made a concerted effort to review its regulations to ensure that the technology it delivers is useful to the future improvement of road car efficiency. "It's vital that the sport stays relevant to the wider world," says Neale. In January 2013, the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) commissioned a research study into the environmental impact of its member teams. The study found that FOTA F1 teams had reduced their carbon emissions by 7% between 2009 and 2011. The governing body of Formula One, the FIA, has also launched a sustainability programme, helping stakeholders worldwide to measure and enhance their environmental performance. In February, McLaren became Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain - May 11th 2013 Sergio Perez, McLaren MP4-28 Mercedes. the first ever recipient of the FIA Institute's Environmental Award for the Achievement of Excellence. McLaren also announced its ongoing carbon neutral status in May, after being re-awarded with the Carbon Trust Standard. Neale says achieving these accolades is no easy feat, but as an engineering company Vodafone Mclaren Mercedes has a hugely valuable in-house resource: its engineers. "It is their expertise and creativity that has ensured we are leading the way in the development of more efficient technologies and processes. Whether it is via the equipment used by the