This season will be the first time in which innovative sustainable carbon fibre composites will be used in Formula 1 on the W16. Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team efforts in this space have been made possible through close partnership between the team and INEOS Nitriles, and collaboration with Toray, Syensqo and Sigmatex.

Pioneering sustainable materials projects in Formula 1 will provide a significant opportunity to scale this innovation beyond motorsport, to industries such as aviation and aerospace.

Carbon fibre composites form approximately 75% of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team race car materials, helping to achieve the highest levels of performance and safety. Innovations in these materials provide a significant opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint of the car, supporting the goal to achieve Net Zero across all scopes by 2040.

Carbon fibre composites are primarily formed of two key components: the fibres and the resin system. By weight, approximately 60% of the composite material is formed of fibres, with 40% made up by the resin system. Impregnating the fibres with the resin system, followed by curing, creates a lightweight material with outstanding mechanical performance necessary to meet the demands of Formula 1.

Working closely with the FIA within the scope of the relevant regulations, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team aims to demonstrate that sustainable carbon fibre composites can perform to the same technically demanding requirements as traditional materials.

To qualify a carbon fibre composite material for use on the race car, it must undergo rigorous laboratory testing to provide understanding of its technical properties and performance. Transferring from the lab to the racetrack requires further trials and verification to ensure the material behavior aligns with expectations.

The identification and subsequent qualification of sustainable materials solutions would not be possible without the continuous innovation and ongoing support of the supply chain; each carbon fibre composite component involves four to eight suppliers to deliver the final product.

To achieve a sustainable carbon fibre composite, both components—the fibres and the resin system—must be addressed. Working collaboratively with our supply chain, the team has two separate projects underway for introduction later this year, one of which will address the resin system and one the carbon fibres themselves.