F1 Roasted Over Sustainability Post as Fans Mock Private Jets and Demand V10s
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Formula One shared an update on its progress to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030, but fans have slammed the sport on social media, calling for a return of V10 engines and highlighting the extensive use of private jets.
F1 revealed that it had reached halfway in achieving its target of reducing emissions by 50 percent. The carbon footprint reduced from 228,793 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) in 2018 to 168,720 tCO2e at the end of the 2024 season.
In 2026, F1 enters a new era of regulations, where electric power and an internal combustion unit will power cars in an equal ratio for the first time. This is being viewed as a big step in the sport's push to become carbon neutral.
Race start during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Canada.
Race start during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Canada.F1 revealed its achievement towards Net Zero on Instagram, but the post received significant backlash from fans who voiced their preferences and concerns, with most calling for the return of V10 and V12 engines.
Some fan comments are quoted below:
This comment received upwards of 3,500 likes:
"Decarbonize your supply chain, not your F1 car!"
One fan made it very clear:
"Nobody cares, bring back V10"
There's also demand for the V12:
"Fine, bring back V12"
A fan alleged there was a political agenda:
"The only reason people watch Motorsport is for good racing, not cause they care about the environment or the FIA's political agenda"
Someone made sure to mention the private jets:
"Ok but what about all the private jet flights 😬"
Lastly, one fan offered a solution:
"Reduce flights, make the calendar better and more linear, like all the races in the US after each other, all the races in Europe after each other, all the races in the middle east after each other and so on. That would reduce the carbon footprint a lot and help with logistics and travel easier"
Despite F1's reported environmental push, there's news that could satisfy fans wanting to bring screaming engines back to the sport. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem acknowledged that the power units on the new cars are complicated and too expensive to develop. As a result, the sport could go back to having V8 engines by 2029. Newsweek Sports reported his comments:
"The current engine is so complicated, you have no idea, and it is costly. R&D [research and development] is reaching $200 million, and the engine is costing approximately $1.8m to $2.1m, so if we go with a straight V8, let's see.
"Many of the manufacturers produce V8s in their cars, so commercially it's correct. How much is it? You drop it. The target is more than 50% in everything.
"To us, the V8 is happening. With the teams now, I'm very optimistic, happy about it. FOM [Formula One Management] are supportive, the teams are realising it is the right way.
"We need to do it soon... you need three years, so hopefully by 2029 we have something there, but the fuel is also very expensive, and we have to be very careful with that. Transmissions are very expensive."
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