McLaren revolutionize Formula 1 with recycled carbon fibre at the US Grand Prix

The Woking-based team are aiming to capitalize on their recent success in Qatar, where Oscar Piastri clinched victory in the Sprint race and Lando Norris secured a podium finish in the main event.

Partnering with V Carbon, a pioneering composites organization, McLaren have acquired materials to craft first-of-their-kind components for the cockpit branding panels. This significant stride aligns with the team's goal to create a "fully circular F1 car" by the end of the decade, an objective in harmony with Formula 1's broader sustainability mission.

The implications are astonishing. Consider this: if just one percent of the world's carbon fibre production from the previous year were recycled carbon fibre, a staggering 32,535 tonnes of carbon emissions would have been saved. This is roughly equivalent to half of McLaren's total annual emissions.

Piers Thynne, McLaren's chief operating officer, expressed the team's enthusiasm for this groundbreaking partnership, stating to media, "We're proud to team up with V Carbon to lead the charge in sustainable materials, running with recycled carbon fibre at the Austin GP. The potential future applications of recycled carbon fibre are hugely exciting. 

"V Carbon offers up to 85% of the original carbon fibre's strength, making it robust enough for various applications in Formula 1 and beyond. We are committed to working closely with the FIA, Formula 1, and fellow teams to accelerate the pace of change."

The upcoming Formula 1 race, scheduled for October 22 in Austin, Texas, will be held at the iconic Circuit of the Americas, a 5.5-kilometre track. The United States Grand Prix rejoined the Formula 1 calendar in 2012 after a four-year hiatus. 

However, with the sport's growing popularity in the United States, the Circuit of the Americas won't be the sole American venue this season. The Miami Grand Prix is set to return, and a new event in Las Vegas is on the horizon, signalling a promising era for Formula 1 in the United States.

McLaren's embrace of recycled carbon fibre represents a significant stride towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly Formula 1, a testament to the sport's commitment to reducing its environmental footprint. 

 

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