Can sustainable fuels put the noise back in Formula One?

Since 2014, Formula One cars have used fuel-efficient V6 hybrid engines that promote the technological innovations of engine suppliers like Ferrari and Mercedes.

But they’re not as bone-rattlingly loud as race cars used to be, which makes them less fun.

Sustainable fuels can be fun!

Mohammed Ben Sulayem — head of the FIA,F1 racing’s governing body — recently declared on Instagram that F1’s future might be in sustainable fuels.

• By 2030, the cars could go back to traditional V10 engines.
• The engines would be louder and easier to design, opening the door for more manufacturers than just the major brands with a vested interest in promoting hybrids and EVs.
• Most importantly, the engines would use sustainable fuels.

EVs aren’t in a great place (though the EV industry is predictably bullish on its own future), but fuel producers are excited about the potential of renewable alternatives to fossil fuels.

• It’s easier than convincing fuel companies like Chevron and BP to pack it in.

But they’re not a miracle answer

The British government is using sustainable fuels to justify a new runway expansion at London’s Heathrow Airport, per the BBC.

• The UK argues that sustainable fuels produce70% less carbon emissions than fossil fuels.
• Another runway would reduce the need for planes to circle London as they wait to land.
• They can’t afford not to do it!

Just 2% of jet fuel for planes coming out of Heathrow is sustainable, but critics say increasing that could release more carbon emissions through producing and transporting the new fuel.

You could always make an electric plane, but the batteries are so heavy that nobody thinks that’s really possible yet.

The best solution, then, is for Heathrow to replace its jets with sustainably fueled F1 cars.