BMW Decides Formula One Is Bad for the Environment

Yes, it seems like a pretty basic idea: Mindlessly driving around in circles burning gallons and gallons of fuel (and even blowing up a car or two every so often) for the sake of public enjoyment is absolutely horrible for the environment. According to Reuters, luxury car manufacturer BMW has decided to take the high road, with a commitment to withdraw from Formula One by the end of 2009.

Photo via Flickr

The move is based on image and a corporate-wide plan to reduce carbon emissions, not "performance or the general economic situation," according to BMW's head of research and development Klaus Draeger.

We can only give BMW a huge thumbs up for taking the plunge: On average, Formula One race cars consume 180-200 litres in a 300 km race distance, or about 50 gallons for just under 190 miles, reports F1 Technical.

Formula One and the car manufacturers involved in the races are well aware of the bad global warming press: A few hybrid cars have hit the tracks, and there has been some dabbling in "energy efficient systems" and rule changes for better fuel economy.

Formula One generally argues that the high-profile races are a powerful way to get messages across -- even green messages -- and that research used in developing the fast cars can later be used for good in the consumer market.

But when it comes down to it, you must still come back to this: Mindlessly driving around in circles burning gallons and gallons of fuel for the sake of public enjoyment.

More on Formula One and BMW From TreeHugger and Planet Green
F1 Racers To Go Hybrid
Formula One Racing Failing on its Green Promises
Formula Zero World Premiere in Rotterdam, Motosport at its Cleanest
More on Hydrogen 7 by BMW
Meet Change Maker David Buckland of Cape Farewell

More From Mairi Beautyman on Huffington Post
Creators of the Hydrogen 'Urban Car' Attempt to Crush Hydrogen Car Challenges
Germans and Their Scornful View of Tap Water
Could You Live Without a Refrigerator?
The Octuplets and their Massive Carbon Footprint: 30,400 Disposable Diapers and Counting

Follow Mairi Beautyman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mbeautyman

Comments

[Saidas]

So then all motor sports should end? They take this position because they don't win F1 races. Honda dropped out because they weren't winning either. Toyota was ready to bail but they are winning this year so they won't be going anywhere for awhile.

[ferrarimanf355]

I hope that's not the position she's taking. Racing doesn't use as much fuel as, say, a tanker carrying cargo. Just one. Wasn't there an article somewhere that says that the most polluting cargo ships emit as much emissions as millions of cars or something? That's the problem, not car racing!