Drivers take the start of the Formula One Grand Prix of SpainLLUIS GENE
Formula One teams said on Wednesday they aimed to cut their carbon footprint by reducing emissions by 12.4 percent over the next three years.
The Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) said fuel efficiency remained a priority even if the testing and racing of cars represented a tiny proportion of the sport's total carbon emissions despite a gas-guzzling image.
"Building on what we have already achieved, and extrapolating what is now being planned, we anticipate that by 2012 Formula One will have reduced its total carbon emissions by 12.4 percent compared with 2009," FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh said in a statement.
"FOTA has committed to the continuation of this programme," added the McLaren team principal.
"In addition, the (governing) FIA and FOTA are already working together to tailor the 2013 technical regulations to ensuring that all engines and powertrains used in Formula One by that date will showcase, and provide a platform for the ongoing development of, technologies designed to enhance fuel efficiency."
The current 2.4 litre V8 engines burn through about 160 kgs of fuel per race on average. The sport is keen to transform its image with more environmentally-friendly technology such as kinetic energy recovery systems.
Analysis carried out for FOTA by environmental research organization Trucost showed that the majority of teams' greenhouse gas emissions arose from production and supply of raw materials and parts.
The fuel used during grands prix and testing, which is banned during the season as part of measures to cut costs and allow teams to slim down, accounted for only 0.3 percent.
The main areas in which emissions could be reduced were electricity consumption, particularly wind tunnel use, reduced operational fuel use and parts and raw materials.