Racing Towards Sustainability: The Future of the F1 Calendar

By: Gabriel Medina                                                                                            

Formula 1 has always been about speed, skill, and thrilling competition. But as the world becomes more aware of environmental issues, F1 is facing a new kind of challenge—how to make the sport more sustainable. The excitement of the races is undeniable, but the environmental impact of flying teams and equipment across the globe is something that can no longer be ignored. So, how can F1 continue to deliver the high-octane action fans love while also taking care of our planet?

Why a Greener Calendar Matters

Each season, F1 teams crisscross the planet, racking up huge amounts of air miles. In 2021 alone, the teams traveled over 94,000 kilometers for 23 races. All that travel means a lot of carbon emissions—256,551 tons of CO2 in 2019, to be exact. The bulk of these emissions come from the logistics of moving everything and everyone from one race to the next:

– Logistics: 45%

– Business Travel: 24.7%

– Facilities and Factories: 19.3%

– Event Operations: 7.3%

– Power Unit Emissions: 0.7%

It’s a hefty price to pay for the privilege of watching the world’s fastest cars, but it’s also a problem with a clear solution: a smarter, more efficient race calendar.

A Look Back at Recent Calendars

To see how big the issue is, let’s take a quick look at how much travel has been involved in the last few F1 seasons:

– 2021: 23 races, 94,070.42 km traveled, 119 hours of flight time.

– 2022: 23 races, 116,650.14 km traveled, 143 hours of flight time.

– 2023: 24 races, 132,527.56 km traveled, 164 hours of flight time.

– 2024: 24 races, 121,595.24 km traveled, 154 hours of flight time.

These figures show that as the number of races increases, so does the environmental impact. If F1 wants to continue growing, it needs to find a way to do so without leaving such a large carbon footprint.

The Impact of Travel

Traveling is an essential part of F1, but it’s also where the sport creates most of its carbon emissions. Moving cars, parts, and people around the world is responsible for almost half of the sport’s CO2 output. Long flights, in particular, are a major contributor. For example, in 2023, teams flew from Saudi Arabia to Australia—a journey of over 12,787 kilometers—only to head back to Europe shortly after. If races were grouped more logically by region, these long, environmentally costly flights could be minimized.

Balancing Tradition with Sustainability

Part of what makes F1 so special is its history. Tracks like Silverstone, Spa, and Monza are more than just places to race—they’re where legends are made. But with the environmental stakes so high, F1 needs to find a way to keep these iconic venues while also cutting down on unnecessary travel. One solution could be to organize the calendar into regional clusters. For example, a European leg could include back-to-back races at Silverstone, Spa, and Monza before moving on to other regions like Asia or the Americas.

Racing in the Heat: Lessons from History

F1 races have always been a test of endurance, but extreme heat can push drivers and teams to their limits. Some of the hottest races in history, like the 2005 Bahrain Grand Prix with track temperatures hitting 51°C (124°F), have shown how tough the conditions can be. Racing in such heat isn’t just hard on the drivers; it’s also dangerous. That’s why it makes sense to schedule races in hot climates during cooler months or to hold them at night, as is already done in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.

Voices from the Paddock

Concerns about the sustainability of the current racing calendar have been voiced by prominent drivers, including three-time world champion Max Verstappen and George Russell. They have expressed frustration over the physical and mental toll of rapid transitions between races in different continents. For instance, the quick turnaround from the Las Vegas Grand Prix to the final race in Abu Dhabi has been cited as a significant factor contributing to burnout among team members and drivers alike.

Drivers and team principals are increasingly vocal about the need for change. The four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel and the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton have both advocated for greater sustainability in F1, emphasizing the sport’s responsibility to lead by example. Vettel has repeatedly called for F1 to do more in terms of sustainability, while Hamilton’s long-standing commitment to environmental causes has garnered widespread attention. Their advocacy highlights the growing recognition within the sport that sustainability is not just a trend but a necessity.

The push for sustainability in F1 is not limited to drivers and teams; it also resonates with fans and stakeholders. Many fans have expressed their desire for a more thoughtful approach to race locations and scheduling, particularly regarding the number of races held in the United States. The balance between generating revenue and maintaining a sustainable calendar is a critical discussion point among stakeholders.

The Need for Change

While the FIA aims to maximize revenue through an increased number of races, this approach may not align with the long-term sustainability of the sport. The project argues that a calendar with fewer races or more logically grouped races could not only reduce the environmental impact but also provide teams with more time to prepare and recover between events. This would ultimately lead to better performance and well-being for all involved.

What Can Be Done

F1 has already taken steps toward becoming more sustainable, like aiming to be carbon-neutral by 2030. But the calendar is one area that still needs improvement. By reorganizing the race schedule, F1 can make a big difference in reducing its environmental impact. Here are a few ideas for how that could look:

Option 1: Global Circuit

Melbourne → Suzuka

• Distance: 8,089.80 KM
• Time: 10 hours

Suzuka → Shanghai

• Distance: 1,480.00 KM
• Time: 2 hours

Shanghai → Singapore

• Distance: 3,783.37 KM
• Time: 5 hours

Singapore → Abu Dhabi

• Distance: 5,875.98 KM
• Time: 7 hours

Abu Dhabi → Lusail

• Distance: 316.01 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Lusail → Bahrain

• Distance: 481.28 KM
• Time: 6 hours

Bahrain → Jeddah

• Distance: 1,256.08 KM
• Time: 2 hours

Jeddah → Baku

• Distance: 2,335.59 KM
• Time: 3 hours

Baku → Imola

• Distance: 3,178.63 KM
• Time: 4 hours

Imola → Hungary

• Distance: 677.52 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Hungary → Austria

• Distance: 376.97 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Austria → Monaco

• Distance: 711.53 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Monaco → Barcelona

• Distance: 515.29 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Barcelona → Belgium

• Distance: 1,058.71 KM
• Time: 2 hours

Belgium → Zandvoort

• Distance: 217.04 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Zandvoort → Silverstone

• Distance: 340.14 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Silverstone → Montreal

• Distance: 5,167.27 KM
• Time: 7 hours

Montreal → Miami

• Distance: 2,268.14 KM
• Time: 3 hours

Miami → Austin

• Distance: 1,785.49 KM
• Time: 3 hours

Austin → Las Vegas

• Distance: 1,743.80 KM
• Time: 3 hours

Las Vegas → Mexico City

• Distance: 2,431.15 KM
• Time: 3 hours

Mexico City → São Paulo

• Distance: 7,424.83 KM
• Time: 9 hours

TOTAL

• Distance: 51,514.62 KM
• Time: 76 hours

   – Start the season in Melbourne and finish in São Paulo. This would reduce travel by keeping races in the same region before moving on to the next. This option could cover 23 races with a total of 51,514.62 km, significantly less than current calendars.

Option 2: Contract-Based Schedule

   – This calendar would include only those tracks with contracts that extend beyond 2024. It would still group races by region, covering about 52,687.32 km across 23 races.

Melbourne → Suzuka

• Distance: 8,089.80 KM
• Time: 10 hours

Suzuka → Shanghai

• Distance: 1,480.00 KM
• Time: 2 hours

Shanghai → Singapore

• Distance: 3,783.37 KM
• Time: 5 hours

Singapore → Abu Dhabi

• Distance: 5,875.98 KM
• Time: 7 hours

Abu Dhabi → Losail

• Distance: 316.01 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Losail → Bahrain

• Distance: 481.28 KM
• Time: 6 hours

Bahrain → Jeddah

• Distance: 1,256.08 KM
• Time: 2 hours

Jeddah → Baku

• Distance: 2,335.59 KM
• Time: 3 hours

Baku → Imola

• Distance: 3,178.63 KM
• Time: 4 hours

Imola → Monza

• Distance: 172.46 KM
• Time: 3 hours

Monza → Budapest

• Distance: 718.28 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Budapest → Spielberg

• Distance: 376.97 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Spielberg → Zandvoort

• Distance: 916.14 KM
• Time: 2 hours

Zandvoort → Spa

• Distance: 202.99 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Spa → Silverstone

• Distance: 287.36 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Silverstone → Monaco

• Distance: 1,120.19 KM
• Time: 2 hours

Monaco → Barcelona

• Distance: 515.29 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Barcelona → Montreal

• Distance: 5,927.49 KM
• Time: 8 hours

Montreal → Miami

• Distance: 2,268.14 KM
• Time: 3 hours

Miami → Austin

• Distance: 1,785.49 KM
• Time: 3 hours

Austin → Las Vegas

• Distance: 1,743.80 KM
• Time: 3 hours

Las Vegas → Mexico City

• Distance: 2,431.15 KM
• Time: 3 hours

Mexico City → São Paulo

• Distance: 7,424.83 KM
• Time: 9 hours

TOTAL

• Distance: 52,687.32 KM
• Time: 81 hours

Option 3: Continental Approach

   – Start in the Americas and finish in the Middle East. This option minimizes the back-and-forth between continents, covering 61,759.68 km over 23 races.

Here’s the information from the new data presented in the requested format:

São Paulo → Mexico City

• Distance: 7,416.63 KM
• Time: 9 hours

Mexico City → Las Vegas

• Distance: 2,421.05 KM
• Time: 3 hours

Las Vegas → Austin

• Distance: 1,755.50 KM
• Time: 3 hours

Austin → Miami

• Distance: 1,784.17 KM
• Time: 2 hours

Miami → Montreal

• Distance: 2,260.32 KM
• Time: 3 hours

Montreal → Barcelona

• Distance: 7,862.94 KM
• Time: 11 hours

Barcelona → Monaco

• Distance: 485.89 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Monaco → Silverstone

• Distance: 1,075.42 KM
• Time: 2 hours

Silverstone → Zandvoort

• Distance: 396.41 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Zandvoort → Spa

• Distance: 202.99 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Spa → Spielberg

• Distance: 1,036.32 KM
• Time: 2 hours

Spielberg → Budapest

• Distance: 339.28 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Budapest → Imola

• Distance: 684.19 KM
• Time: 1 hour

Imola → Monza

• Distance: 172.46 KM
• Time: 3 hours

Monza → Baku

• Distance: 3,085.85 KM
• Time: 4 hours

Baku → Jeddah

• Distance: 2,308.27 KM
• Time: 3 hours

Jeddah → Bahrain

• Distance: 1,276.01 KM
• Time: 2 hours

Bahrain → Losail

• Distance: 486.24 KM
• Time: 6 hours

Losail → Shanghai

• Distance: 6,786.76 KM
• Time: 8 hours

Shanghai → Melbourne

• Distance: 8,005.17 KM
• Time: 10 hours

Melbourne → Singapore

• Distance: 6,041.83 KM
• Time: 7 hours

Singapore → Abu Dhabi

• Distance: 5,875.98 KM
• Time: 7 hours

TOTAL

• Distance: 61,759.68 KM
• Time: 90 hours

These options show that it’s possible to have a packed race calendar without so much environmental cost. By planning smarter, F1 can reduce its carbon footprint while still delivering the same thrilling spectacle.

Final Thoughts

Formula 1 is at a pivotal moment. The sport must find a way to continue thrilling fans while also reducing its environmental impact. By rethinking how the race calendar is structured, F1 can cut down on carbon emissions, reduce the strain on teams, and show the world that it’s serious about sustainability. The road ahead will require careful planning and a willingness to change, but with the right approach, F1 can race towards a future where speed and sustainability go hand in hand.

As F1 cars line up on the grid for each race, they have the potential not just to entertain but to lead the charge towards a more sustainable future. By embracing greener practices, starting with the race calendar, F1 can ensure that it remains a beloved sport for generations to come—without costing the Earth.

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