Lewis Hamilton is pushing Ross Brawn and Mercedes to bring change in F1 in terms of their plastic use in an on-going drive worldwide.
With the Amazon rainforest fire taking the internet by storm over the past few weeks, drivers were asked about the initiatives that F1 can take – whether the sport or the teams, to raise more awareness.
It was also to understand how F1 is balancing the environmental issues, considering the sport also results in causing pollution. Hamilton, who vouches for it on social media, felt that very little has been done over the past few years.
“I’ve been here for a long time,” he said. “I don’t really know what their current plans are, but I think they are working towards a goal in trying to improve the carbon footprint that we have as a sport.
“However, I think up until now the job we’ve done in the sport – they haven’t done anything, particularly I think when Bernie was in place, there wasn’t a lot being done then.
“So, we are in a position where we are now, beginning to shift. If you look at the V8s and the V10s, we are now using a third less fuel than we used to use in a race distance, so that’s already a step forward, but there is absolutely more that we can do.”
He also stressed on the fact that efficient engines are not the only way to improve pollution and there are other ways by which the sport can prevent global warming and help in making the planet a better place.
“On things like the amount of plastic that’s used throughout the weekend – I’ve got three bottles right here in the room, I’m not opening them, but someone will drink these, and that becomes waste,” he said.
“So, I think the amount of waste that comes out of a race weekend, also through all these weekends, we can do a lot about that and so I’m trying to encourage Ross and his team to make a change.
“And as a team, I’m pushing Mercedes to be the leaders in that, so hopefully, soon you’re going to see some positive changes from our side.” While rival Sebastian Vettel did not go into the details but echoed Hamilton.
“I think it’s a very important subject,” he said. “I feel that F1 has a worldwide operating platform and should do a lot more. I don’t think that just promoting the efficiency of our engines is enough.
“Plus I think unfortunately a large part of our technology inside the car will not go onto the road so you can argue about the necessity. So, I think – not just on track but also off track – I think F1 could do a lot more and should set an example because I think it is a very serious matter and serious subject.”
In recent times, Hamilton has posted several images and videos raising awareness on his social media. The British racer has recently sold his private jet too as he flies more on commercial airlines.
The story was written by Venkatesh P Koushik and edited by Darshan Chokhani
