The powers that be in Formula One have been tossing around ideas for making the sport more environmentally and technologically relevant for several years. While many if not most of the readers would respond to that discussion with the answer that it should just be shut down, the FIA is unlikely to do that anytime soon. Barring that drastic option, there are still some interesting possibilities. Most recently, the discussion has focused on hybrid powertrains using some sort of flywheel type mechanical energy storage device.

FIA President Max Mosley recently also assumed the presidency of the International Advanced Mobility Forum. At an IAMF meeting in Monaco (how come I never get sent to meetings in Monaco?) this week, Mosely said that F1 would be actively promoting hybridization and 2009, 2011 and 2013 would be significant milestones in the process of "greening" Formula One. Some sort of brake energy regeneration should be included in F1 cars starting in 2009, with exhaust gas recycling coming by 2013. It's not clear precisely what that means, but the most likely scenario is a return to turbocharging. F1 engines were turbocharged from the early eighties to the early nineties. If they do that in 2013, that would likely put F1 several years behind many road cars moving to down-sized boosted engines. Based on Mosley's comments it seems like the 2009 hybrid strategy will actually be electrical rather than mechanical. Another interim step in 2011 would see energy recovery from the cooling system although precisely how they would be implemented is unknown.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Up through the mid-nineties, Formula One racing was a bastion of technological innovation. Cars ran with 4-, 6-, 8-, 10- and 12-cylinder engines. There were naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines. They had active suspension systems. Since that time the sports governing body, the FIA has been clamping down with more and more restrictive rules. Cars must run standardized fuels, have V-8 engines of 2.4L displacement and now even have standard engine ECUs. Le Mans style sports car racing on the other hand has actively encouraged alternatives like diesels, biofuels, and different engine types like Wankel rotaries. A report titled CARS 21 published by the European parliament is calling on the FIA to allow for more innovation that can lead to environmental advancements for road cars. The American Le Mans Series is actively moving down this path and provides some of the most interesting on-track action to be found anywhere. FIA president Max Mosely has welcomed the call from the EU, so hopefully we'll see some loosening of the reigns in F1 in the next few years. A lot of safety and performance advancements have come out motorsports over the years and the pace of development could help bring more relevant technology to the road if the rulemakers allow it.

[Source: AutoCar, via Autoblog]

Michigan Live caught up with popular custom bike maker and host of Monster Garage, Jesse James, at the Detroit Auto Show Wednesday. Jesse was at AutoWeek's annual design forum awards dinner promoting recycling and talked about his plans to break the land speed record this Spring with his hydrogen gas-fueled "Green Scream." Has Jesse gone green? Not quite.

Jesse says "we all want to go faster and have cooler, neater stuff, so we all have to pay our dues. ... That's just me trying to find some balance. ... I want my kid to be able to drive my 'cuda. So that's my preachy speech." Jesse also says Al Gore is still "a dork" and "I don't want to go to an electric Formula One race."

How about a hybrid Formula One race, Jesse?

Related:

• Formula One hybrid racing coming in 2010
• New hybrid transmission for Formula One cars revealed
• Ricardo appointed as "Green" consultant to Formula One
• Jesse James & West Coast Choppers fined $271,250 for smog violations
• More on Jesse James, his CARB settlement and his hydrogen-powered land-speed car
• Cisco Burger eco-restaurant opened by Sandra Bullock and that Monster Garage guy

[Source: Michigan Live]

Although ethanol is already being used in some American and
British races, Formula 1 is still using special gasoline for the cars to run. Petrobras, the Brazilian oil company, has announced a new gasoline blend using ethanol which is suitable for Formula 1 engines specifications. The amount of ethanol added has not been disclosed (it's a secret).

Petrobras showed a F29 racer driven by Kazuki Nakajima on the streets of São Paulo fueled by this new blend which will be used exclusively by the AT&T Williams team. Dilma Youssef, a Brazilian Minister, filled the tank before the event.

By 2008, Formula 1 fuel will have to include a mandatory 5.75 percent of biofuel. But we're more anxious about the introduction of hybrid powertrains in the near future.

[Source: Energías Renovables]