Team Announces Results of Biofuel Use in European Season

• 67% emissions reduction for race and hospitality trucks and generators saves 339 tCO₂e.

• 386,000km travelled by the team’s fleet of trucks using HVO100 biofuel.

• Every km travelled on HVO100 saves 90% of CO₂ emissions versus normal diesel.

• 35% of team generator fuel used at European races was HVO100 biofuel.

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, working together with our Title and Technical Partner PETRONAS and our logistics partners, saved 339 tCO₂e and reduced race and hospitality trucks and generator emissions by 67% through HVO100 biofuel use over the course of the 2023 Formula One European season.¹

The combined 67% emissions reduction and 339 tCO₂e saving, calculated in line with the GHG protocol and latest DEFRA GHG emissions factors, exceeded the team's initial targets of 60% emissions reduction reduction for our fleet of trucks and generators and 200 tCO₂e saved across the season.

As part of our strategy to lessen the impact of road-based freight logistics, our trucks and generators were refuelled where possible using second-generation biofuel HVO100 across the European races from May to September. The trucks transport all the team’s freight required for each race, while the generators power the team’s engineering and hospitality units in the Formula One paddock.

Our trucks travelled on HVO100 biofuel for over 386,000km, from a total distance travelled of 460,000 km, and 35% of all generator fuel used was HVO100.² The emissions reduction achieved by our fleet of trucks was 307 tCO₂e, with the generators totalling 32 tCO₂e emissions reduction. Undertaking this initiative across many European countries, with supply levels fluctuating in certain geographies, added to the complexity of the project.

We have already taken bold action to address our largest sources of emissions, with the use of alternative sustainable fuels contributing to significantly reducing our carbon footprint. Last year, pioneering investment in and the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel helped us save 21% of overall air travel emissions in 2022.

New sustainability exclusions in the sport’s Financial Regulations have unlocked opportunities for innovation in sustainability that were previously in conflict with on-track performance. This project is the team’s first to capitalise since the changes were approved, thanks to constructive cooperation between the FIA, Formula One and the ten teams. The use of biofuel in the team’s race trucks and race base generators would previously have been included in the Formula One cost cap. Removing this restriction has allowed us to take a significant step towards our ambition of achieving a fully-biofueled European season.

Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team said: “Formula One is the most well-known global sport in the world, so it is vital we can use our platform to pioneer change. We can no longer compromise on the impact we have on our planet, and we need to adapt to reduce our emissions. We are a team of innovators and have an ambition to be the world’s most sustainable sports team. Results like this show we are on the right track to achieving that milestone with sustainable fuels central to the team’s strategy to achieve Net Zero. This was a very complex project, and we extend our thanks to our Title and Technical Partner PETRONAS, and our logistical partners, who have worked so hard to deliver the results of this challenging yet rewarding project.”

¹ Calculated using DEFRA 2023 WTT and TTW emissions factors for diesel and HVO 100.

²Calculated using the average MPG of trucks on HVO100 vs diesel, taken from our 2022 trial.