Formula 1
F1, FIA and Extreme H reveal plans for hydrogen working group
Formula 1, the FIA and Extreme E’s sister series Extreme H have announced the formation of a joint Hydrogen Working Group that will start in 2025.
Matt Kew
Edited: Dec 13, 2023, 11:24 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The parties will evaluate how hydrogen technology - including both battery systems and fuel cells - can be used across motorsport, with a focus on increasing the sustainability credentials of transport and infrastructure.
F1 will be represented on the panel by chief technical officer Pat Symonds, the FIA by single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis and Extreme H by Mark Grain, the technical director for Extreme E.
Symonds said: “Our sport has a tradition of bringing new technologies to the forefront of public perception in incredibly short timescales. We do this by being open-minded to all solutions and embracing cross-functional engineering.
“With climate change mitigation at the forefront of everyone’s mind we are committed to promoting sustainability and therefore need to explore all areas of decarbonisation of the mobility sector. This must include sustainable liquid hydrocarbon fuels, electrification and hydrogen.
“This Working Group enables a collaboration which will allow us to gain first-hand experience and contribute to the understanding and development of the many aspects of hydrogen propulsion that Extreme H will embrace.”
Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images
Mission H24 Hydrogen
Writing for Motorsport.com's sister publication GP Racing magazine last month, Symonds flagged that hydrogen fuel cells are inefficient for racing since they generate a lot of heat but need to operate at a relatively low temperature. This would require cars to be fitted with much larger radiators.
He continued: “So is hydrogen a viable energy source for racing engines? I think the answer is undoubtably yes but is it a better solution than, say, a blend of an advanced sustainable biofuel and e-fuel?
“That is a more difficult question to answer since much will depend on how the infrastructures for transport fuels develop over the next decade or two.”
The fledgling Extreme H series plans a first full-speed shakedown of its hydrogen off-road racer by the end of this year ahead of a more comprehensive testing programme in early 2024.
Tombazis added: “As the governing body for both the FIA Formula 1 World Championship and the upcoming FIA Extreme H Championship in 2025, we welcome this latest collaboration.
“The FIA Technical Department has experience and knowhow in the area of hydrogen technology, which we will be bring to the Working Group along with sporting, safety and regulatory expertise.
“As is currently the case across the entire FIA motorsport portfolio, we will take learnings from this collaboration for the benefit of our sport and mobility.”
Le Mans and World Endurance Championship organiser Automobile Club de l’Ouest is due to delay the introduced of a hydrogen-powered prototype class for a further year until 2027.
Read Also:
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article FIA formalises ban on 2026 F1 aero testing
Next article Perez: Keeping up with car development key to new Red Bull F1 deal
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Matt Kew
Marko suggests Perez's improved F1 form because 2025 contract at stake
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Marko suggests Perez's improved F1 form because 2025 contract at stake
Russell explains how low-fuel runs expose Mercedes F1 inconsistency
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Russell explains how low-fuel runs expose Mercedes F1 inconsistency
Leclerc: No answer for "once in a season" Japan F1 qualifying struggle
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Leclerc: No answer for "once in a season" Japan F1 qualifying struggle
Latest news
Lamborghini World Finals | AM-LC Qualifying: Lewandowski dominates, taking pole for both races
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
Lamborghini World Finals | AM-LC Qualifying: Lewandowski dominates, taking pole for both races
Marc Marquez: “In the first half of 2026, all I wanted to do on Sundays was lie on the sofa”
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
6 min
Marc Marquez: “In the first half of 2026, all I wanted to do on Sundays was lie on the sofa”
"Just undriveable" – Isack Hadjar looking for answers after "massive" struggles in Austin practice
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
53 min
"Just undriveable" – Isack Hadjar looking for answers after "massive" struggles in Austin practice
Maverick Vinales: “If I stay at home, I don’t get paid”
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
Maverick Vinales: “If I stay at home, I don’t get paid”
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe