F1, FIA announce hydrogen working group with rebranded series،
Formula 1, governing body the FIA and the renamed Extreme H series announced on Thursday the creation of a joint hydrogen working group to assess the future use of the technology in motorsport.
Extreme H will be the new name for the existing Extreme E electric off-road series which plans to switch to hydrogen from 2025.
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The series, launched in 2021 with identical SUVs and male and female drivers in each range, includes teams owned by F1 champions Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg as well as another McLaren-owned team.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans, the jewel of the world endurance championship, will have a new hydrogen category from 2026 with cars using either fuel cell technology or thermal engines running on hydrogen.
Le Mans, a historic land of experimentation for manufacturers and innovative technologies, aims to run the entire premier category on hydrogen from 2030.
“Our sport has a tradition of bringing new technologies to the forefront of public perception in incredibly short timescales,” F1 technical director Pat Symonds said in a statement.
“With climate change mitigation at the forefront of everyone's minds, we are committed to promoting sustainability and therefore must explore all areas of decarbonization of the mobility sector.
“This must include sustainable liquid hydrocarbon fuels, electrification and hydrogen.”
F1 is set to use 100% sustainable fuel from 2026 and plans to reach net zero as a sport by 2030.
The new working group will include representatives from all three organisations, including Extreme E technical director Mark Grain, Symonds and FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis.
It aims to monitor the progression and development of hydrogen technology for fuel cells and battery systems as well as infrastructure, transport, charging, storage and management, as well as the implications for security.
Extreme H organizers plan to hold a first full-speed shakedown of a prototype hydrogen-powered chassis this month with a full testing program in early 2024.
Extreme E stated that it would become an FIA Championship, like Extreme H, from its inaugural 2025 season with the intention of becoming an FIA World Championship from 2026.
The FIA will be responsible for the technical, sporting and safety regulations of Extreme H.
