Although the FIA has approved a few days ago the roadmap for the next generation of engines for Formula 1 from 2026 to 2030, turbo-hybrid engines powered by sustainable fuels, the debate continues on what to do in the long term after see the growth of the automotive industry towards electric.
Engines and batteries are unlikely to be powerful enough in 2031 to power Formula 1 cars and deliver current levels of performance, so the series will need to make a decision where to go next.
However, one option that Alpine raises and that could be viable is the switch to hydrogen, so the French manufacturer has begun to study the pros and cons of using that type of energy in Formula 1.
Speaking exclusively to Motorsport.com, Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi said that as fully electric powertrains are not a real possibility for any time soon, thinking about hydrogen may provide a solution.
“I don’t think the electric motor is ready,” he acknowledged. “It may be 15 years from now, but I don’t see that happening in the next one or two rulemaking transitions.”
“That is why we are investigating, because I think that manufacturers, especially those of power units, have a duty to shape the regulations and put solutions on the table, such as hydrogen as fuel,” said one of the heads of the French project.
“For me, and for us, it’s like a good way to kill two birds with one stone,” he said. “It’s certainly cleaner, not entirely, but it’s much better than if you compare it to traditional fuel.”
“It is abundant, for sure, while organic or synthetic fuel can be imitated in terms of supply and production cost,” Rossi defended. “Also, it preserves one thing, which is noise.”
“It is worth that people, perhaps in 20 years, forget, because the new generations will not care and they will be used to silent cars on the streets, but, for now, that is what makes it also a show” said the CEO of Alpine.
“We must not forget that F1 is a sport, that is to say, an entertainment. It is a business, there is no doubt, but that business is built on the basis that people love it, see it and enjoy it,” he continued. “I can’t stop thinking about it, so we’re going down that road.”
Laurent Rossi said the aim of the research was to properly understand how hydrogen works and whether it could deliver the level of performance needed for Formula 1.
And, if the work reaches that conclusion, he hopes to be able to show the technology through Garage 56 at Le Mans: “We are going to play our part to inspire others, the governing bodies.”
“We would love to be able to show, but first we are going to prove to ourselves, that it works, because we still have to investigate that it is more than a belief or a prophecy,” he explained. “If it works, we want to demonstrate it, for example, at Garage 56 in Le Mans or at the Nürburgring with one of our racing cars equipped with a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine.”
“That could inspire governments and make them see that there is a way forward. If Porsche, Ferrari and others continue with more things, it will be better because we can put more options on the table and not just one,” Rossi concluded.
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