Sustainable Business magazine - essential reading for sustainability professionals
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Technology Formula One 4/4 and the fact that it is connected to F1 will give it genuine credibility," Neale says. Formula 1 technology is not, however, limited solely to transport. McLaren Applied Technologies (MAT) takes technologies, processes and "knowhow from the racetrack" and delivers them to improve the operations of other industries. For example, MAT has worked closely with major pharmaceuticals firm GlaxoSmithKline to improve the efficiency of some of its manufacturing facilities, and air navigation service provider NATS to map airport taxiways and runways and reduce the energy consumption of planes through inefficient taxi routes. "A lot of this isn't strictly 'technology transfer', but more 'intelligence transfer'. It's about better understanding what you are doing, so you can manage it more effectively," adds Neale. The team is also involved in developing significant environmental changes to other motor sports. McLaren Electronic Systems has worked with Freescale to develop and integrate a new fuel-injection and engine control system for NASCAR, in line with a step-change to fuel-injected engines. The outcome of this is increased performance with better fuel economy. Jenson Button in action It is becoming ever-more apparent that people - fans, customers, partners, prospective partners and legislators – want to see evidence, not claims. Formula One as a whole therefore needs to continue to act positively and demonstrate real substance. By being at the cutting-edge of efficient technologies, F1 is making itself relevant and compelling for the car industry, because the efficient technologies that are pioneered by teams such as Vodafone McLaren Mercedes trickle down to road cars that people can buy. "The shift towards more carbon-efficient transport is inevitable, and for Formula One to remain sustainable, it must lead that shift," says Neale.