Energy Efficiency

As an energy efficiency professional, I was going to start by saying I thoroughly approve of the sustainable fuels and increasing amounts of battery-powered traction in Formula 1.

But then I remembered that I retired 6 weeks ago, and that in my own time I can be an eco vandal if I wish. So I will instead start by saying that I also LOVE the noise and smell of V8/V10 petrol engines in motor racing.

I can reconcile these views (“cop out”) by saying that despite my love of fast cars powered by fossilised dinosaur juice, it’s essential that motor sport, indeed the world, breaks its reliance on oil. Current events in the Middle East notwithstanding, oil WILL run out one day - we just don’t know exactly when.

Anyone who has ever driven an EV will know the awesome acceleration that even a small family runabout delivers (eg. the Renault 5 E-tech, 0-60 mph in 7.9 seconds). Moving up to a larger ‘premium’ car, the figures are just stunning (eg. the Tesla Model Y, 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds - and that’s an SUV which probably spends most of its life doing school or supermarket runs!).

Excitement

Given that battery-electric technology can produce that level of excitement (assuming this kind of thing turns you on), there is no need to worry that F1 will become boring with the inexorable rise of the hybrid engines. Well, unless the aero gives us another season with minimal overtaking of course.

Personally, I’m more than happy to embrace the latest stuff, if it means that we can continue to drive in circles as fast as we can just for fun. But I’d like the option to watch petrol racing cars too, and I think it’s clear that amateur formulae and historic classes will be using petrol for a good while yet.

Shanghai GP

As for the Chinese (Shanghai) Grand Prix, the format of a sprint race weekend still stumps me a bit, but it’s good to get two races for the price of one. The main race was actually quite enjoyable, with some great action between the Ferrari team mates towards the front – although sadly with too many dropouts as well.

Obviously the teams are still coming to terms with the new regulations, some more than others (eh McLaren? eh Aston?). For the sake of my own Fantasy Formula 1 team, I hope and expect that things will pick up as the teams (and in particular Adrian Newey) learn how to keep the new cars running for a whole race. With a total of seven DNSs/DNFs in China, this was not a race on which to make your season predictions.

For the record, the final order on Sunday at the Chinese was 12, 63, 44, 16, 87, 10. That’s chicken chow mein, beef in black bean sauce, sweet and sour pork, egg fried rice, spring rolls and prawn crackers.