The Extreme H World Cup demonstrated the feasibility of using hydrogen as a fuel in motorsport and I have the details in this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup. I also have news on a plant-based race car, Formula E’s Gen4 on track and much more!
Sustainable Motorsport News
The ‘Lola T70S’ Rebuilds a 1960s Racer With Plant‑Based Materials
The ‘Lola T70S’ is a limited‑edition race car that revives one of British motorsport’s most recognizable designs while reframing it as a sustainable race car built with modern production methods.
Produced by the recently re-established Lola Cars, this particular model closely mirrors the iconic and original 1960s car in form and mechanical layout, including its use of a naturally aspirated Chevrolet V8 engine producing over 500 horsepower.
What’s novel is that the car’s body uses a proprietary composite that blends flax and basalt fibers with renewable resin, in place of traditional petrochemical carbon fiber. Key magnesium components are produced through a solar‑powered extraction process, further boosting eco-friendly credentials.
Read more about the sustainable components of the Lola T70S at Trend Hunter here.
Motorsport is part of our DNA – Porsche’s 975 RSE
In explaining how motorsport is part of their DNA, Porsche discusses how the technology in their Formula E 975 RSE race car will eventually make its way into their road cars. “The regulations force us to maximise the efficiency of our cars in every respect – because that makes us relevant for the road. The races should become even more attractive, as the new cars are considerably faster. I’m very curious to see how the fans will react.” – Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E
Change Accelerated Live, hosted by Formula E on May 13th
Formula E’s sustainable innovation summit – Change. Accelerated. Live. Connecting industry and leaders for discussions on sustainability and innovation in the unique setting of the world’s most sustainable motorsport and driving positive change across sports, business, and society.
Details:
- Wed, May 13, 2026, 3:00 AM – 6:00 AM (your local time)
- Biot, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, FR
- Alpha Sophia Antipolis, Rue Pierre Laffitte, 06410 Biot, France
- Secure your spot via the registration link:
Sustainable Motorsport Tech
Gen4 Formula E: The World’s Most Sustainable Race Car
The Gen4 Formula E race car is being hailed as the first zero waste race car and the most sustainable race car ever produced. Here are two articles that explain why.
ABB Showcases Cutting-edge Converter Tech with GENBETA Racecar at 2026 Hankook Berlin E-Prix
Utilising Formula E as a platform, ABB unveiled its latest DC-DC converter technology, from the Brightloop product line-up , in the GENBETA car, as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returned for rounds seven and eight on 2 and 3 May 2026 at Tempelhof Circuit in Berlin.
Highlighted by the efficiency and productivity of the GENBETA prototype, ABB’s DC-DC converter allows the main battery to simultaneously run a car’s onboard electronics at different voltages. This technology highlights how Formula E operates as a test bed for innovative technology that has real-world applications.
More details can be found here.
Five Game-Changing Lessons in Automotive Technology from the FIA Extreme H World Cup
The long-awaited first-edition of the FIA Extreme H World Cup, held in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia, was a genuine world-first and the learnings taken will reshape the future of sport and automotive technology.
For the first time, an entire grid of cars featuring hydrogen fuel cell propulsion technology raced through some of the most demanding conditions imaginable, showing the world that hydrogen technology is viable and ready for use.
Charged with delivering a fast, robust and safe racing vehicle to lead this new era in racing was Mark Grain, Extreme H’s Technical Director, alongside the FIA’s (the global governing body for motor sport) Extreme H Technical Manager, Vincent Gaillardot. With the technical team at the FIA, the group completed a huge amount of work prior to the inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup.
Both possess a wealth of experience across multiple categories in motor sport, with Grain spending nearly three decades with McLaren across F1, IndyCar, Extreme E and Le Mans, including the legendary F1 GTR programme, whilst Gaillardot’s career spans across Renault F1 teams with Williams, Ligier and Benetton, before working with Jaguar, Toyota and Nissan’s varying programmes.
Now that the dust has settled from the FIA World Cup, they have outlined some key takeaways from its global debut. You can read what they are here.
Series News
Performance Potential of Formula E GEN4 Excites Webber
Former Formula 1 driver and FIA World Endurance Championship champion Mark Webber says Formula E’s upcoming GEN4 regulations will present the best example of Formula E we’ve ever seen.
“Faster is always better for us drivers,” Webber said. “I’m hearing good things about the GEN4 car: very, very, very quick, a lot of power. It’s going to be very, very interesting how they select the circuits, how the calendar looks – obviously that’s in good hands – making sure it gets some good feedback from the drivers. But I think ultimately, that’ll be the best example of Formula E we’ve ever seen. No question about it.”
How Penske Could Stay in Formula E Despite DS Exit
Jay Penske’s eponymous squad looks set to remain in Formula E following the departure of DS Automobiles, with an announcement regarding its Gen4 plans expected soon. “As it stands, Penske appears to be pushing ahead with the development of its own powertrain, rather than opting to source customer units from another manufacturer.” Autosport has the details here.
Formula E Gen4 and the Patience Tax
Formula E just unveiled the most powerful, most sophisticated electric racing car ever built. The Gen 4 is faster off the line than a Formula 1 car, runs on permanent all-wheel drive, and is certified as the world’s first 100% recyclable race car. It arrives at the precise moment the American auto market is retreating from electrification — and the rest of the world is not. Paul Pfanner has been watching this argument unfold since before most people knew it was an argument. He has thoughts and you can read them here.
ETS Racing Fuels’ Christophe Malivert on the New ERC Partnership
The switch to 100% advanced sustainable fuel in ERC1 from 2026 marks an important new step for the FIA European Rally Championship, with ETS Racing Fuels set to supply its Renewablaze® R100 to all ERC1 competitors for at least the next three seasons. Made from waste and not competing with the food chain, the fuel underlines the championship’s growing role as a platform for sustainable innovation in rallying.
For Christophe Malivert, Senior Sales Executive at ETS Racing Fuels, the new agreement formalises a relationship that has been growing in the championship for years. In this first Q&A, he reflects on ETS’s long-standing presence in ERC, why the official partnership matters and what success will look like as the new programme gets under way.
Read what he has to say about the technology in a Q&A here.
Formula 1 Set for Huge Engine U-Turn as V8s Confirmed to Return
As I mentioned last week, the FIA is ramping up pressure on going back to simpler V8 engines in F1 for the next regulation cycle with a smaller battery component in a bid to lower costs and run a lighter, louder engine. The FIA president has vowed that this is the direction the series will take.
“It’s coming,” FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said at the Miami Grand Prix last weekend. “At the end of the day, it’s a matter of time.”
Getting to the Track Sustainably
Hydrogen Trucks, Electric Planes and More
