[RahulNagaraj]

Formula 1 CEO Stephano Domenicali, in a recent interview, made a public declaration that the sport will never go electric. According to reports, the CEO stated that instead of batteries, F1 will hedge its future on clean zero-emission petrol, which is being developed and is expected to roll out in 2026.



Reports also stated that carbon-neutral fuel isn't the only reason F1 is not interested to shift to battery power. If the sport does go fully electric, it will have to compromise heavily on its race formats, race pace and safety, which in turn could risk the entire business. Synthetic carbon-neutral fuels, on the other hand, allow F1 to carry forward the sport without having to make any risky changes.

Current replacements for petrol include ethanol, methanol and pure Hydrogen. However, the process of production of ethanol and methanol as fuel isn't carbon-free. While Hydrogen is an option, it is very energy-intensive to manufacture at such a large scale using the tech at hand. Hydrogen is also difficult to store.

Source: TheDrive

Link to Team-BHP news

[ds.raikkonen]

F1 is the lighthouse for future road car ICE engines, I believe internal combustion will be the major contributor even in 2030 (as per various sources, only 8% will be BEVs by 2030).
Its just the stigma associated with 'fossil fuel' due to the inefficient/non-hybrid engines that everybody wants everything to be electric (without any consideration on where exactly the 'electricity' is coming from).
F1 has shown that ~50% efficiency is possible, synthetic/sustainable fuels can achieve 65% reduction in GHG emissions.
Mazda showed that ICE engines can deliver higher efficiency with their HCCI technology, their 'well-to-wheel' concept makes a lot of sense especially when you consider carbon reduction beyond just vehicle running.
Long way to go for the ICE...hopefully the regulatory agencies will put emphasis on carbon reduction and not dictate what should power automobiles in the future.

[sri_tesla]

Originally Posted by ds.raikkonen

F1 is the lighthouse for future road car ICE engines, I believe internal combustion will be the major contributor even in 2030 (as per various sources, only 8% will be BEVs by 2030).

Those various sources must be Shell, Aramco, Toyota, and Mazda. BEV sales in 2022 were already more than 8%. Including plug-in hybrids, it's 13%.

By 2030, ICE share will be close to that 8%.

[shankar.balan]

Part of the sensory experience is the sounds and smells. Petrol. Oil. Tyre Rubber. Brakes. Etc.
Burn Rubber Boys!

[ds.raikkonen]

Originally Posted by sri_tesla

Those various sources must be Shell, Aramco, Toyota, and Mazda. BEV sales in 2022 were already more than 8%. Including plug-in hybrids, it's 13%.

There will always be reports with POV from both ends, that caters to both sides.

My point was that the ICE will remain and will contribute in a major way to the automobile industry. Just wait for future ICE tech and alternate fuels.

[SKC-auto]

Originally Posted by ds.raikkonen

There will always be reports with POV from both ends, that caters to both sides.

My point was that the ICE will remain and will contribute in a major way to the automobile industry. Just wait for future ICE tech and alternate fuels.

Sorry, that's not POV, data shows EV crossed 8% sales already, which according to you will happen in 2030.

ICE tech has reached it's peak, any improvements in effeciency needs the help of EV tech(hybrids) to be added to the car.

There are no alternate fuels for the common people, yes F1 and super rich can buy synthetic fuels even if it costs >₹300/litre, common people will just convert to EVs.

Even if F1 uses hydrogen ICE, the car needs refuelling every 100kms, which requires 3-4 pit stops, each pit stop requires 2-3 minutes, that would be super boring for the sport. As an EV enthusiast and F1 fan I believe they should go with synthetic fuels.