Energy consumption in Formula 1: the reverse of the medal

Formula 1 is one of the most popular and exciting sporting events in the world. However, behind all that excitement and adrenaline lurks a serious problem: the huge energy consumption.

Even if when we think of a motor racing competition the first thing that comes to mind is fuel, teams also need large quantities of electricity to charge the car batteries, for the lighting and heating systems in the workshops and for the communications and television and radio broadcasts. of the event.

According to recent studies, a single Formula 1 race consumes the same amount of energy as an average house in months. This is worrying, given that we are talking about an event that lasts a few hours, compared to months of domestic consumption. 

Furthermore, Formula 1 also has an indirect impact on the environment due to the amount of travel and transport required to run the races. Teams, media and fans travel from all over the world to attend events, which creates a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

If we multiply the energy consumption and emissions by all the races in the season, the result is bleak. 

How much energy does Formula 1 consume?

According to the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) of Spain, approximately 1 kWh of electricity is consumed per team during a Formula 1.000 race. This data is equivalent to approx 4 months of energy consumption for an average home in countries such as Spain, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, and up to 7 months of energy consumption for an average house in Colombia. 

Similarly, a study by the University of Oxford indicates that the electricity consumption of a single Formula 1 team during a season can reach up to 20.000 kWh , with a total of 10 teams competing. According to the International Automobile Federation (FIA), the sum of all the races in the season consumes around 250.000 kWh of electricity , that it is equivalent to the electricity consumption of 85 European homes for a whole year. 

It is undeniable that the energy consumption in a Grand Prix is ​​enormous, especially taking into account the short duration of the event, but it is important to remember that these figures are approximate and can vary depending on several factors, such as the weather, the layout of the circuit and the evolution over time of the characteristics of Formula 1 cars.

How does Formula 1 affect your electricity bill?

Although Formula 1 has no direct impact on electricity bill ,  electricity price Yup. In most countries this is regulated by the government and is set on the basis of supply and demand. When the demand for electricity is high, the price goes up, and this is related to factors such as temperature, time of day, season of the year and energy-intensive events such as football matches, concerts or Formula 1.

During race days, electricity consumption can increase significantly in areas close to the track. If a Formula 1 team happens to have its workshop near your home, you may notice an increase in your electricity bill during the days of the event.

In any case, although the energy consumption of each Grand Prix is ​​immense, the impact that Formula 1 can have on the final amount of electricity bills in the country where the event takes place is limited and temporary, so it is not a cause for concern.

What measures are you implementing to be more sustainable?

It is true that in recent years Formula 1 has taken some measures to reduce its environmental impact. Among them, they introduced hybrid engines that use electricity and fuel . However, these they are still highly polluting due to the amount of fuel they use and the CO2 emissions they generate . Also, these engines are very expensive to manufacture and maintain, e.g their manufacture consumes enormous amounts of energy and natural resources .

Another trick that Formula 1 has adopted is to use biofuels , which in any case have a significant environmental impact, as they are produced from crops that compete with food production. Furthermore, the production of biofuels requires large amounts of water and energy, further increasing its environmental footprint.

It is undeniable that if Formula 1 is to be a truly sustainable sport, it must take more radical steps to reduce its environmental footprint and energy consumption . It must drastically reduce its consumption of fossil fuels, use cleaner technologies and promote sustainable practices in all its operations.

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