Mercedes F1 supports British karting with sustainable biofuels cutting emissions by 55%. Mercedes F1 and Motorsport UK launch a sustainability project in British karting.

British karting moves towards sustainability with Mercedes F1 support

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team and Motorsport UK have announced a major step forward in sustainable motorsport. Beginning from the third round of the 2025 season, the IAME Waterswift Restricted Cadet class of the British Kart Championships will switch to sustainable fuel, delivering a 55% reduction in emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels.

A project fully backed by Mercedes F1

The adoption of biofuels has been directly funded by Mercedes F1 as part of its long-term Net Zero 2030 strategy. The initiative is designed to reduce the environmental footprint of motorsport right from the grassroots level, ensuring that even the youngest competitors contribute to a greener future.

Mercedes driver George Russell highlighted the importance of the project, commenting: “Karting plays a crucial role in shaping the next generation of racing drivers. It’s great to see our sustainability ambitions also being applied at the grassroots of motorsport.”

The programme also supports young talents within the Mercedes Junior Team, such as Kenzo Craigie and Ethan Jeff-Hall, both competing in the British karting scene.

Building a responsible future for motorsport

Dan Parker, Head of Karting at Motorsport UK, underlined the value of the change: “Even though karting has a relatively small footprint, it remains one of the most visible areas of motorsport. Adopting sustainable fuels is vital to educate and prepare young drivers responsibly.”

Bradley Lord, Mercedes F1 Team Representative, added: “We are laying the foundations for a cultural shift. Our commitment to sustainable high-performance starts here, with karting.”

Certified biofuels and real emissions reduction

The sustainable fuel being introduced complies with ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS standards. It has been certified to deliver a 55% reduction in emissions on a Well-to-Wheel basis, calculated in line with EU Directive 2018/2001. The entire production process has been closely monitored, from origin to final shipment.

Mercedes F1’s wider sustainability strategy

The Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 team has already implemented several key measures to cut its environmental impact beyond the racetrack, including:

• 98% coverage of HVO100 biofuel in trucks and generators during 2024
• A reduction of 9,860 tCO2e in 2024 through the purchase of Sustainable Aviation Fuel certificates
• A target to quadruple aviation-related emissions savings by the end of 2025 compared to 2022

This karting initiative represents another concrete step in Mercedes F1’s mission to lead Formula 1 into a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.