A report published by the European Union is calling for Formula One racing to switch to four-cylinder engines and bio-fuels to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. Since many mainstream automotive technologies are born in motor sport, it’s a safe bet such a move would eventually benefit the efficiency of regular road cars, too.
“With the support of the motor manufacturers competing in Formula One and, with the engineering expertise unique to the sport, we hope that new technical regulations will encourage a transfer of energy efficient technologies into the domestic car market for the wider benefit of society,” the report reads.
Called CARS 21, the report recognizes the “leading role played by the Federation Internationale d’Automobile (FIA) at the forefront of innovative environmental technology changes that offer potential CO2 reduction and efficiency saving spin-offs for all new cars.”
What’s more, the EU points to “the role motor sport can play in changing attitudes and customer behaviour towards environmentally friendly technology.”
As a result of these considerations, the EU says it is asking the FIA and others involved in Formula One to “change their rules accordingly, so that environmentally friendly technologies like bio-fuels, four-cylinder engines or hybrid can be more easily applied.”
In 2006, all Formula One cars switched from 3.0-liter naturally-aspirated V10 engines to 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated engines V8s.
FIA welcomes proposal
You might think the FIA — which regulates F1 racing — would be opposed to the EU’s request, but in fact the governing body seems quite open to change. FIA president Max Mosley said in a statement released Wednesday that his organization welcomes the dialog.
“It is immensely satisfying that the European Parliament recognises the role motor sport can play in the advancement of green technologies and supports the work undertaken by the FIA in its policy campaigning to make motoring more sustainable in the future.
“With the support of the motor manufacturers competing in Formula One and, with the engineering expertise unique to the sport, we hope that new technical regulations will encourage a transfer of energy efficient technologies into the domestic car market for the wider benefit of society.”
[Photo credit: Wikipedia]
