The sport of Formula 1 is embarking on a new journey towards sustainability. That being said, the inherent nature of the sport we all love so much poses the biggest challenge in that journey. Hence, F1 and its extended fandom look up to people who can voice meaningful change to make the sport one that not only caters to the spectacle but also to the overarching ethos of today’s society. One such person is 7x champion, Lewis Hamilton, and a prominent politician, too has decided to join his ranks.
Hamilton has been a loyal spokesperson for sustainable development. The environment is dear to us, and so is the sport. That’s exactly why the Brit has been so vocal about needing to shift the status quo to a more sustainable future. That being said, now, French President Emmanuel Macron has followed suit, albeit with a personal agenda on his mind.
Emmanuel Macron pushes Liberty Media
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At the end of the day, if Formula 1 has to return to France, then it must be through a consensus between Liberty Media and the political upper echelons of France. While addressing the probable organizers, Macron echoed his support for the return of the French GP, but it was coupled with an environmental rider.
He said, “Be assured that I fully share your ambitions. Indeed, as you point out, our country must be able, like the other major international sporting events that it organizes every year, to take Formula 1 to the everyone’s enjoyment again. It is a question of the attractiveness of our country, the impact of our automotive industry and the innovation to support the decarbonization of this sector,” as quoted by Motorsport-Total.com [translated via Google Translate]
But while Hamilton urges the sport to take cognizance, what has he done so far to contribute to sustainability?
Lewis Hamilton & Co. lead the sustainability charge
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Hamilton has forged a dynasty with Mercedes. And it’s probably safe to say that any endeavor that is close to the 38-year-old’s heart is echoed congruently by the Silver Arrows, too. Hence, Hamilton’s push toward sustainability has been showcased through his work with the team.
Mercedes disclosed on their website, “Leading the drive towards sustainable high performance has seen the team reduce our measured carbon footprint by 58% between 2018 and 2021. Our operations in Brackley have been carbon neutral since 2020 and powered by 100% renewable electricity since 2019.”
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