When the technology of competition is put at the service of the world

Today, technological advances are essential to maintain and improve engine performance at the same time carbon dioxide emissions are reduced related to competition.

In this sense, competition is always the best test bed for technologies that are subsequently applied to cars and products related to transport and mobility. In addition, it is a perfect showcase to show its efficiency in extreme conditions, looking for optimal performance in the world championships all kinds.

It does not make sense for brands that are present in the world’s biggest competitions to bet on championships where technologies that will be obsolete on the street are applied. And in that sense, the competition has experienced a major change in recent years in terms of reducing emissions. From Formula 1until MotoGPthat goes through the lower categories and the hardest race in the world, the Dakaras well as creating multiple events with electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

F1 and its “zero carbon” plan by 2030

A few years ago the leading category of world motorsport presented its zero emissions plan for 2030, the so-called ‘F1 Net Zero 2030‘. In 2014, single-seater engines became hybrid, combining gasoline and an electric motor, as well as energy regeneration systems. This led us to move from talking about machines to power units, which consist of many elements. In 2022, a further step was taken with the introduction of renewable fuels. And in 2026 it will be more than the introduction of new engine regulation. In this new era of F1, power units will be used with an increase in power of up to 50% of the total. They will go from having 120 kilowatts to 350. In addition, The fuel that will be used for the combustion engine will be 100% syntheticfully sustainable.

But that’s not all. The hardest thing is reduce the carbon footprint which generates kilos and kilos of materials moving from one part of the world to another for the organization and celebration of a Grand Prix. F1 has also pursued this larger goal, aware that two-thirds of its footprint is in logistics and travel. To this end, F1 introduces changes in the dynamics of the tests to reduce the presence of personnel involved in holding the Grand Prix, reduce the distances between races to increase the productivity of the journey and its partner in logistics is also working to reduce emissions. with more efficient planes and trucks running on renewable fuel.

This work is also beginning to be carried out in the indigenous categories. The drivers of tomorrow begin their careers in single-seaters after their time in karting. And it is worth remembering that, from 2022, the French Formula 4 is the only single-seater competition that uses 100% renewable fuel. The fuel used in this competition was designed and produced in Spain, specifically in Repsol Technology Lab.

MotoGP, big step from 2024

The top category of world speed motorcycling is also experiencing a moment of transition in this field. In 2024, MotoGP incorporates new regulations that will require all motorcycles to use fuel with 40% of non-fossil originwith the aim of reaching the 100% by 2027.

In the highest category, each manufacturer works with its supplier. For example, the Repsol Honda team will use a renewable fuel created by the Spanish multi-energy company, adapted to the demanding needs of its machines.

Dakar, a test bed in the dunes

The case that gets the most attention, and which presents one of the biggest challenges, is the Dakar. It is the most difficult race in the world, with stages that can be 400 or 500 kilometers, with very difficult days in deserts full of traps, in high temperatures, under intense sun and among sand dunes and Saudi Arabia railways.

The Dakar has been incorporating improvements for some time to reduce the carbon footprint of the championship and in 2021 it launched the Dakar tomorrow, a project whose goal is to make big steps towards a competition powered exclusively by alternative energies by 2030. These people have seen many innovative projects and different technologies to take the first steps in the direction this. For example, Audi has been competing for three years using a very complex technology with its Audi RS Q e-Tron, which has electric motorization thanks to its two electric motors and a battery charged by a combustion engine that works at low speeds and with a minimum consumption, which serves to ensure that the cars of the German firm will never lack energy in their batteries during the long stage of the Dakar.

There is also the case of renewable fuel users Isidre Esteve in this Toyota Hilux. The challenge began in 2021. Since then, Repsol’s Technology Lab, together with Toyota engineers, has made major advances. So the Oliana driver competed in the 2023 Dakar with a renewable fuel made 75% from organic waste such as cooking oil. And in 2024, Esteve returns with fuel made from 70% waste (as it is adapted to a new FIA regulation), ensuring that Its performance is greater than fossil fuel.

In addition, other teams such as BRX, X-Raid, the aforementioned Audi and other projects are working on synthetic fuel. But not only that. Innovation has also reached vehicles as heavy and powerful as the Catalan MAN 6×6 truck Jordi Juvanteny and Jose Luis Criado, which last year changed LPG for hydrogen with an innovative project. This year, this 6×6 will compete in a new and important category: the Mission 1,000.

This new Dakarian class was born for the purpose of following the zero carbon emissions in Dakar 2030. It will be used as a test bed for various pioneering technologies. They all have to face a different route than the usual Dakar, with shorter stages and a general classification system based on points. The goal is for all of them to reach a total of 1,000 kilometers in two weeks of racing to test these technologies and study their results to study their inclusion in the complete route in a few years.

Electrical competitions

Another example of how much competition is changing is in electrical competitions. The largest exponent is the Formula E, a 100% electric single-seater category that debuted in 2014. Since then, its growth has been tremendous due to the large number of brands that have joined the championship due to the electric commitment of street car companies. But it has also grown in terms of technology, especially in terms of batteries. The competition wants to continue increasing its power and efficiency to develop key technology for today’s and tomorrow’s vehicles.

Later, MotoE also came, an electric motorcycle championship that competes with the MotoGP weekend. There is also created a Electric Passenger Car World Cup it didn’t stick. And in RallyCross, a rally car competition on closed circuits with many contacts, the RX2e category was created a few years ago, fully electric, using Spanish technology from the company QEV.

Everything is like electricity, but…

Initially, the arrival of Formula E caused concern among combustion engine fans about the future of F1 and other legendary competitions as they saw more and more brands leaving them to join the electric category like Formula E. But F1 has always rejected the possibility of becoming a 100% electric World Cup. And since the regulations of the most historic championships, with the ‘Great Circus’ at the forefront, have been adapted to the future of mobility and the goals of the brands, the factories are going back and reading their old programs.

The obvious case is that of Endurance World Cup (WEC), where after the withdrawal of many companies, only Toyota kept its hybrid engine before the introduction of a new regulation, the creation of the Hypercar category. That’s the top WEC category, combining a gasoline and hybrid engine. Any fan who goes to Le Mans or another WEC event will see that, even though the cars are hybrids, they keep getting everyone’s heart rate up with their roar. They impressed. And the car brands came back quickly. In fact, the future of this competition looks promising with more and more factories looking for success in 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The last case or of F1 is important for understand where mobility goes. It is clear that the future is not just electric as it may have seemed a few years ago. The future is the combination of many renewable energies, each ideal for a specific use or the mobility needs of each person. That combination is even more pronounced in the competitive world. Electricity, renewable fuels, synthetics, hybrid engines, etc. The competition is stepping up to define the future of mobility for all.