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.
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.
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