Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport has announced it is aiming for its Formula 1 team to be carbon neutral by the end of 2020 as part of its new sustainability strategy.
The German marque is taking increased measures within its organisation to continue being a more environmentally sustainable motorsport outfit.
Mercedes’ goals are currently ahead of plans set out by F1 as the championship has aimed to be carbon neutral by the end of 2030.
The Silver Arrows is also working with the FIA to increase the level of renewable fuels in the championship as well as an increase of electrical power, a project which will share links with Formula E.
Plans to reduce the carbon CO2 by up to 50 percent from their 2018 baseline have already taken shape, having made the step to power its factory facilities on renewable energy.
Regarding the unavoidable CO2 emissions of its motorsport activities, Mercedes will work with the Gold Standard project in an attempt to offset their carbon footprint as much as possible.
“Sustainability is very important to me personally; I’ve become more and more aware of the environmental issues we’re facing around the globe and I just want to have a positive impact and try to play my part in it,” said six-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton.
“I’ve changed to a plant-based diet, I’ve changed the way I travel and started off-setting my flights, and I’ve started to drive both plug-in hybrids and all-electric Mercedes vehicles; I’ve also put sustainability at the heart of other ventures I’m involved in, such as my new clothing collection with Tommy Hilfiger.
“It’s great to see that Mercedes is taking responsibility for sustainability and that the entire Mercedes family is making huge efforts to tackle the issue; I hope I can make a meaningful contribution to that transformation as well.”
Mercedes Formula E driver Nyck De Vries added: “Formula E is a platform to showcase the performance of fully electric race cars and it’s great that Mercedes is taking ambitious steps to look at sustainability in motorsport in a holistic way.
“We are at the forefront of technology and we want to be at the forefront of sustainability as well. While our races are broadcast around the world, it’s important that we don’t just look at them, but also take the wider operation into account.
“It’s great to see the efforts that are being made at our hubs in Brixworth and Brackley, which benefit our Mercedes teams in both Formula 1 and Formula E.”
