Formula 1 Considering A Switch to Ethanol

Wired Blog Network: Autopia
By Chuck Squatriglia June 09, 2008 2:06:53 PM
Categories: Auto Racing, Biofuel, Ethanol

Formula 1, widely considered the pinnacle of automotive engineering but woefully behind in environmentalism, is reportedly considering a switch to ethanol.

The move comes as the sport faces increasing pressure from Max Mosley, the beleaguered president of F1's sanctioning body, to make its cars more energy-efficient and the engineering behind them more relevant to road cars. Given the stratospheric amounts of fossil fuels the sport's 10 teams consume, Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone - who controls F1's business affairs - realize Formula 1 is a target ripe for attack by environmentalists and regulators.

This year, at least 5.75 percent of the fuel burned by F1 cars be renewable, and next year will see the adoption of kinetic energy recovery systems to capture energy generated by the cars' tremendous braking forces.

Now comes word the sport may switch to ethanol.

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