Experts had their say. Sustainable motorsport is no longer a pipe dream

Sometimes it amazes me how sustainability has made it to the mainstream in the world of motorsport. The very recent example was January’s Autosport International Show. The feasibility of sustainable motorsport found itself on the agenda of Europe’s largest automotive festival. That’s huge, isn’t it?

On the very first day of the above-mentioned event Motorsport UK hosted the panel session entitled Can Motorsport Ever Be Fully Sustainable?. Four high-quality experts confronted this burning question with plenty of optimism.

Sustainable motorsport is knocking on our doors

Jessica Runicles, Head of Sustainability at Motorsport UK pointed out both the growing interest in sustainability and its positive repercussions. 

“A lot of people have come to Motorsport UK to discuss sustainability which shows there’s a lot of appetite to help. That will enable the community to drive greater change.”

A similar view was shared by Iona Neilson who serves as a Senior Sustainability Manager in Formula E. She turned her attention into more and more common realization that sustainability is a concept full of potential rather than necessary evil.

Knowledge and common sense – building blocks of sustainable motorsport

Runicles even admitted that with sustainability comes an opportunity to engage with partners who value this kind of initiatives. Besides, according to Neilson new audiences are more demanding. “Newcomers” expect (moto)sport to go hand in hand with sustainability, not opposing it.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that ambition to establish sustainable motorsport is slowly becoming everybody’s business – figuratively and literally. Those who shape motorsport believe in the power of knowledge and spreading it among the industry or possibly even further. That way the turn to sustainability could become a reality.

‘‘We shouldn’t be afraid [of sustainability] – it goes back to education and knowledge, it is not that complicated. There are a lot of common sense measures that we might do at home that can be replicated.” – claimed Stephane Bazire, Head of Business Sustainability for Silverstone Circuits Ltd.

“Knowledge is power, and changes are not so scaring if you have the knowledge and are willing to share it (and to learn from others)! This includes sustainability and systems change!” – wrote on LinkedIn Dr. Cristiana Pace, whose consulting firm Enovation Consulting Ltd has been working with F1 teams on sustainability matters.

Does motorsport have what it takes?

Everything mentioned goes on to show the ubiquitous aspiration to have fully sustainable motorsport in the foreseeable future. The pure fact of such a big event as Autosport International Show discussing sustainability so openly is groundbreaking. Some of you may ask why.

Simply put, it takes us one step closer to achieving above-mentioned goal. Communication with respect to sustainability in motorsport proves there is no intention to run away from the likes of climate change and social issues.

Instead, decision-makers, through their apparent commitment and willingness to alter the status quo, aim to ensure lower footprint of all motorsport series – Formula 1 topping the list. That would mitigate the risks of destroying our planet and taking away the joy of following the sport we all love.

(Photo: adike/Shutterstock)