Formula 1 introduces fuel efficiency as a competitive performance differentiator!

F1 is in shit. At least that's what the doom-mongers are claiming following the sudden exit of Honda recently. With the world being in the grip of an economic recession even the biggest companies are struggling to justify the $200 million annually that it costs to compete.

With this as a backdrop the F1 teams and the ruling body of the sport met last week to agree some radical cost cutting measures. Some of these have the potential to deliver environmental benefit as a nice side effect.

First up there is the general reduction in power hungry and environmentally damaging development work - wind tunnels have been limited and testing is banned during the season. Hardly an environmental benefit but a reduction in harm we'll take at the moment.

But, and here is the biggie, from 2010 refuelling during races will be banned. This means that those teams with efficient engines will be able to run lighter cars and should out-perform their heavier rivals. Think about that, the collective brainpower of formula 1 engineers working towards more efficient engines, no doubt unlocking techniques that can filter down to road cars as F1 has traditionally done in the past. Of course we suggested as much should happen ages ago.

BMW Efficient Dynamics "Thank You" TV Spot

While Audi still witter on about performance in every part and Mercedes don't seem too bothered about advertising on TV at all here in the UK at the moment BMW has stolen a march on it's German rivals in the environmental stakes with this TV spot thanking hills and stop signs amongst other things for providing opportunities for them to utilise their fuel efficient technologies.

With petrol prices in Blighty increasing at a rate of knots even people who can afford a new beamer are likely to be concerned about their ability to keep a thirsty car running so this campaign promising nearly 70mpg is bound to resonate.