GW Engineering Researchers Evaluate Formula 1 Progress Toward Net Zero


May 19, 2026

Driver in a racing car at sunset

(Adobe Stock)

Caitlin Grady, associate professor of engineering management and systems engineering (EMSE), and Sachi Nandurkar, senior research analyst in Grady’s Food, Energy, and Water Systems (FEWs) Lab, recently published an op-ed in The Conversation titled “Formula 1 racing shows the hard part of reaching net-zero carbon emissions isn’t the engineering.” The team has developed an interactive computer model using Formula 1’s published sustainability data to demonstrate its current progress in reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 across all operations. In the op-ed, they discuss their findings and make recommendations.

Here is an excerpt from the article: “Our analysis finds that F1 racing could achieve substantial cuts in emissions – but getting all the way to net zero will still require carbon offsets. That leaves F1 with choices, gains, limits and then a final question about what counts as ‘zero.’”

Read the full article on The Conversation, which has been picked up by outlets across the U.S. including News TimesSeattle PIBozeman Daily ChronicleNew Haven Register, and CT Post.