How has Formula One contributed to a better, more sustainable future in the first half of 2024?

Formula One has taken key steps in recent months to achieve a more inclusive and a more sustainable environment in the sport. F1Technical's lead journalist Balazs Szabó picks out several key steps Formula One has made so far in 2024 in order to promote a better future.

The Bahrain Grand Prix kick off the season at the end of February. The Manama circuit features a huge solar farm that produced engough energy to power all F1 requirements.

Furthermore, the circuit implemented a raft of initiatives to "to reduce waste across the circuit, such as seating areas featuring upcycled materials and food and beverage vendors unable to sell single-use plastic products."

Similar to Bahrain, an initiative was launched to reduce food waste. The excess food was donated to charities from the local areas. A campaign saw over 40 schools take part in a programme that centred around the education of young students from "diverse backgrounds, including Saudi Arabia’s first Autism and Disability associations."

Furthermore, the F1 confirmed that "a biodiversity programme that took place in the paddock at Jeddah will contribute to the 50,000m2 of landscaping at the circuit."

The Australian Grand Prix implemented the usage of a variety of green energy solutions, including 100% Certified Green Power from the grid, solar panels, hydrogen cell and biofuel powered generators.

Following the previous two rounds, Melbourne featured a raft of initiatives aimed at reducing waste while a a coffee scheme ensured "no grounds went to waste or landfill."

Additionally, "F1 hosted a low sensory pit lane walk for those with neurodivergent sensitivities where lights were dimmed, machinery use was reduced, and car engines were turned off."

The Japanese Grand Prix saw the FIA and Formula One use 40% sustainable fuel to power the safety and medical cars for the first time this season.

The Suzuka event also featured a special initiative that saw 4,000 local families and students attend "a special community pit lane experience to get up and close to the team garages at the iconic Suzuka Circuit"

Additionally, any leftover food from the paddock and hospitality areas was donated to local food banks.

Ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, Formula One publshed its first-ever impact report that reported the sport's targets for the coming years. It included that the sport intends to hit the Net Zero by 2030 goal while the report also revealed the "the next steps on the journey including investment in alternative fuels and next generation operations."

An interesting initiative saw the Miami track provide ten local minority-owned food and beverage vendors with a so-called ‘Golden Ticket’ that gave them the opportunity to trade at the Miami Grand Prix.

Similar to Saudi Arabia, local students of all ages got a behind-the-scenes look around the Miami International Autodrome which showed them what it means to work in motorsport.

Additionally, 19 students were also selected from local colleges who will be able to improve their skills in the Miami International Autodromo Internship, allowing them to work in the build-up to the event across various operational areas.

Promoting the inclusion and diversity withing Formula One, the Imola circuit established a partnership with a local female mechanics programme to offer an insight into the world of F1.

A fantastic initiative, called Il Tortellante also featured the Imola round, serving paddock guests. The inclusive community programme teached people with autism how to make fresh pasta by hand. Plus, another initiative, called, Awabots connected young fans from a local hospital to their F1 heroes via a live video stream.

Promoting sustainability, a bespoke water desalination system was installed in Monte Carlo which "turned seawater into fresh water to wash more than 50,000 reusable cups for fans across the weekend."

Moreover, the sport also promoted renewable energy to help power the Monaco Grand Prix.

The Automobile Club Monaco worked "with Resin’Esterel – an association to upskill unemployed people from the local community – to upcycle last year's bibs, posters and signage into merchandise for fans."

The Canadian Grand Prix saw STEM students receive the opportunity to "speak to drivers and engineers about their passion and get an invaluable insight about the sport that could help to shape their future career progression."

To promote greener transport, the sport achieved that 97% of the attendees used lower carbon mathods to reach the Montreal circuit.

Moreover, the organizers selected the kids for the Canadian Grand Prix's Grid ceremony from "the local community, including Le Petite Renards, which helps children and teenagers living in vulnerable situations."

A total of 1,239 new solar panels were installed at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to promote renewabe energy sources. Plus, a long-standing biodiversity programme was also launched which will utilise the 25 hectares of forest surrounding the track.

The circuit also noted that it used oil drums and tyres from previous events to create walling and bins around the venue.

With the Red Bull Ring located far away from any big cities, travelling to the Austrian Grand Prix always presents its challenges. Most of the F1 personnel and fans find accomodation in small towns around Spielberg or in Graz which is the nearest big city to the beatiful Styrian track. Nevertheless, the fans were encouraged to use greener modes of transport.

Additionally, the Red Bull Ring noted that it "prioritises local produce and businesses, with 85% of key suppliers from Austria and half of those coming directly from the region of Styria."

Similar to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, a fantastic initiative saw an organisation who mentor disadvantaged Austrian youths organize a paddock tour for young fans, who also enjoyed a unique Strudel-making experience with the Red Bull drivers.

Silverstone, which hosted the first-ever Formula One race, made further improvements to promote sustainability. It meant that a raft of sources of renewable energy was used to power the event. Additionally, the promoter established a a special sustainability-focused fan area called the Zero Zone, to educate and engage fans on the topic.

Additionally, "supported by charities Make-A-Wish, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Race Against Dementia, Formula 1 raised over £60,000 for their respective charities and we welcomed critically ill children and their families into the paddock for behind-the-scenes tours."

16 of F1's engineering scholars from the UK and Italy attended the event where they spent the day with a paddock and garage and a networking event while the sport also confirmed a closer partnership with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton's charity, called Mission 44

The Institute for the Blind is located in Budapest, and members were able to attend a walk in the paddock while they also took part in a special Fan Zone activation that showcased Braille-focused art.

Hungary has recently launched a campaign that encourages people to bring plactic back to shops. There were numerous initiatives around the Fan Zone and various spectators' area that promoted sustainability, including recycling ‘voting’ stations and info on the circuit’s Sustainable Development Goal.

Moreover, the low-carbon energy generation system that was used at the Red Bull Ring made its debut at the Hungaroring. Formula One reported a reduction of ">90% of carbon emissions whilst powering the pit and paddock areas."

The promoters of the Belgian Grand Prix have been eager to encouarage fans to opt for public transport on their way to the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Their efforts meant that significantly more fans elected to use greener travel options with the increasing having been 40 per cent compared to 2022.

Moreover, the organisers staged a special pit lane walk where children from a local charity supporting those from vulnerable backgrounds were able to experience cars and driver in close proximity.