Why Supply Chain Circularity Could Produce Recycled F1 Car

After every Formula 1 race a complex logistical process begins. Hundreds of parts are removed from the cars for inspection to determine if they can be reused. Certain components such as tyres and brake disks are replaced after each race weekend as standard practice. This rapid lifecycle combined with continuous car development and evolving regulations can result in a stockpile of obsolete parts. The F1 Constructors’ Circularity Handbook aims to provide a solution to this challenge.

Circularity is not a new idea in F1. Teams across the sport have started to integrate more sustainable practices into their operations but a lack of cohesive data has hindered major progress. The very nature of the high-performance components required presents a substantial obstacle. “There is also a challenge when it comes to performance” says Nikolas Tombazis Single Seater Director at the FIA. “A lot of the specialised materials used within our ecosystem are non-recyclable – and their sustainable counterparts simply cannot achieve the same safety weight and performance standards."

Rethinking the F1 Supply Chain

The manufacturing of F1 cars is one of the largest contributors to the carbon footprint of the teams, making it a key area for potential sustainability improvements.

In 2023 McLaren trialled recycled carbon fibre at the US Grand Prix a move that followed its 2020 introduction of bio-based flax fibre as a substitute for carbon fibre in car seats. These initiatives highlight an evolution in material sourcing and supply chain strategy.

Transforming a supply chain to embrace circularity is a considerable undertaking. “The challenge of implementing circularity can sometimes be daunting – you need to transform your product supply chain business model and digital ecosystem” says David Rakowski Partner and Circularity Lead at Deloitte UK. “But once you put the organisation infrastructure in place to do this it is very feasible.” The benefits of this transformation extend beyond sustainability.

Influencing Broader Automotive Practices

Innovations developed within the high-pressure environment of motorsport have historically influenced the mainstream automotive sector and wider mobility.

Developments in helmets, seatbelts and electrical safety have been partly influenced by the work of the FIA. This precedent suggests that a transformation in F1's supply chain could have a ripple effect.

“By pushing suppliers and partners to adopt circular practices we can collectively influence the entire automotive supply chain – ensuring that circularity becomes a normalised accessible and affordable practice at every level,” Nikolas explains.

The fast-paced nature of F1 can accelerate the adoption of new ideas and solutions.

Kim Wilson, Director of Sustainability at McLaren Racing, feels this is a key advantage. “We are an entertainment business and a sport with fans so we have this incredible platform where we can raise awareness and spread the word,” she says.

A Handbook for Measuring Circularity

Commissioned by the FIA, the F1 Constructors’ Circularity Handbook was developed by McLaren Racing and Deloitte.

David explains: “We have drawn on our experience of helping clients around the world to model pilot and scale the circular economy including our work in developing the Global Circularity Protocol for Business to create this first important step on the journey - the handbook.”

The first edition of the handbook focuses on providing a framework to measure the circularity of an F1 chassis.

“What gets measured, gets managed,” Kim says. She explains that the handbook “gives us a percentage on how circular our total materials are and then we can use that as a way of demonstrating what we can do to move the dial towards 100%”.

This data-driven approach allows teams to identify and target areas for improvement within their material flows.

“At the moment we are feeling quite confident that quite a significant proportion of what goes out of our factory is being recycled," Kim adds. “We are sharing the handbook with the rest of the teams so that everyone can measure circularity and understand the impact and how circular the materials we use are across the season.”

The ambition is to broaden the scope of this measurement tool. Nikolas says: “Our goal is to expand it to include additional F1 components such as the power unit and tyres before making it applicable for wider use across other motorsport series and the broader automotive industry.”