Mercedes to use innovative sustainable carbon fibre composites for the first time in F1 on 2025 car

Mercedes have announced that their 2025 car, the W16, will use innovative sustainable carbon fibre composites, marking the first time that this has been done in Formula 1.

With carbon fibre composites forming approximately 75% of the team’s race car materials – helping to achieve both performance and safety – innovations in this area offer a significant opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint of the car, while also acting as another step in the Silver Arrows’ goal to achieve Net Zero across all scopes by 2040.

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Carbon fibre composites are primarily formed of two key components; the fibres (forming approximately 60%) and the resin system (approximately 40%). To achieve a sustainable carbon fibre composite, both components – the fibres and the resin system – have to be addressed.

In collaboration with their supply chain, Mercedes have two separate projects underway for introduction later in the year, with one addressing the resin system and one the carbon fibres themselves.

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - FEBRUARY 28: Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy driving the (12) Mercedes AMG — The Mercedes W16 will use innovative sustainable carbon fibre composites for the first time

Each carbon fibre composite component involves four to eight suppliers to deliver the final product, while each must undergo rigorous laboratory testing to qualify for use on the race car.

The team have stated that – while working closely with the FIA within the scope of the relevant regulations – their aim is to demonstrate that sustainable carbon fibre composites can perform to the same technically demanding requirements as traditional materials.

And with it marking one of several steps that the squad have taken in pursuing sustainable high performance, the Silver Arrows believe that such innovations also provide an opportunity to take these developments into areas beyond motorsport, from aviation and aerospace to technical performance fabrics.

Team Principal and CEO Toto Wolff commented: “When you combine performance and innovation, you create progress. I am proud to lead a team of problem solvers who are committed to driving sustainable change.

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - FEBRUARY 27: Toto Wolff, Executive Director of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team is — Toto Wolff has praised the team for «driving sustainable change»

“I would like to thank our partners for supporting our drive for material innovation, and to the FIA for enabling us to test these materials.

“Collectively we are moving the dial on sustainable products and demonstrating that Formula 1 continues to be the fastest laboratory in the world.”

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Alice Ashpitel, Head of Sustainability at Mercedes, added: “We are proud to be at the forefront of sustainable innovation within our sport.

“Leadership must be driven by innovation and our team’s efforts in this space are the latest demonstration of our ambition to become one of the world’s most sustainable global sports teams. We look forward to exploring the application of sustainable materials this season.”