In the second and final part of the exclusive interview with Motorsport Monday, Julia Palle, Vice-President of Sustainability at FIA Formula E, discusses the organization’s move to Valencia, the upcoming GEN4 era, and Formula E’s recent recognition as the most environmentally sustainable sports entity in the world.
Formula E recently unveiled its inaugural support series, the NXT Gen Cup, featuring young male and female drivers aged 15 to 25, all competing in electric MINI Coopers. Palle emphasizes that this series not only showcases electric vehicle racing technology, but is also aligned with the FIA’s Girls on Track project, which promotes gender equality in motorsport.
“The launch of the support series offers a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the skills of male and female drivers in the same cars. It represents the next phase of Girls on Track, ensuring we have female role models at all levels and in all roles within the championship. NextGen is an exciting development in this regard.”
Palle also highlights the opportunity to showcase direct technological transfers between the cars on track and those driven by participants in the support series. This further reinforces the sustainability aspect of Formula E and aims to inspire people to adopt more sustainable lifestyles.
Formula E recently announced its decision to transfer its technical center and logistical headquarters to the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia. Palle explains that this move is motivated by the desire to enhance the sport’s environmental credentials.
“Establishing our headquarters in Valencia is a tremendous logistical advantage, as 70 to 75% of the championship’s carbon footprint is attributed to logistics. Operating from Europe will significantly simplify our sustainability efforts and allow us to organize global logistics more efficiently, especially through increased use of maritime transport. This is in line with our ongoing commitment to achieve Carbon Neutrality and reduce CO2 emissions in accordance with scientific goals.”
Despite being a relatively new sport, Formula E has been experiencing a steady increase in its fan base. Palle attributes this growth to the unique race weekend format and the strong environmental focus of the sport, which resonates with today’s youth.
“Formula E is currently the fastest growing sport in the world, and this trend is expected to continue. The sport’s value proposition is unparalleled. Its exciting format perfectly aligns with the preferences of the younger generation, who have shorter attention spans. The shorter race formats provide the thrill they seek. Furthermore, the younger generation demands inherent sustainability in everything they engage with, and Formula E meets this expectation by prioritizing sustainability to the fullest. That’s why we expect a significant increase in our audience, as we offer the most relevant and suitable sports proposition in the world.”
A potential challenge that may arise with the upcoming GEN4 era of Formula E is the possibility of longer races due to technological advancements in the cars. Palle acknowledges the need to find a balance that accommodates all aspects of the sport.
“Showing technological progress is crucial, and GEN4 will certainly bring faster cars, which has always been a desired goal. Looking back at the early days of GEN1, when races could not be completed without drivers swapping halfway through, we can see the positive trajectory. This is in line with our goals and the broader need in the electric vehicle industry for longer-lasting batteries and enhanced performance. However, we must also consider the value of the relatively short race format, which is one of our key assets. We will approach this transition consciously, ensuring that we provide enough space to showcase the capabilities of GEN4 while maintaining the integrity and success of the sport.”
Aside from the race track, Formula E has been actively involved in initiatives to raise awareness about environmental causes. For example, Jaguar TCS Racing donated their old team clothing to first-year fashion students at Coventry University, allowing them to create new items from the donated materials. Palle reveals that Formula E has also been involved in similar gestures and expresses his desire for more of these initiatives to take place.
“We have an ongoing collaboration with all teams, in which we discuss joint initiatives to promote sustainability. For example, the efforts of the Jaguar team sparked ideas among the group, leading to discussions about the possibility of implementing a uniform recycling program for all teams. Formula E already has its own recycling program and, last year in Berlin, we donated approximately 900 pieces of clothing to charities in support of Ukrainian refugees in Tempelhof. A few years ago, the same collaboration introduced the concept of all teams having an environmental system aligned with the FIA’s three-star certification, which became part of the sporting regulations. This sets Formula E apart, as teams are required to adhere to the highest level of environmental management system to participate in the races. These collaborative projects have allowed teams to work with us to continuously raise the sustainability standards of the championship, benefiting everyone involved.”
“Formula E has recently been recognized as the most sustainable sports entity in the world. The assessment is completely independent and validated by a third party. Every year, we receive an Excel document with a series of questions that evaluate our environmental, social, economic, and governance structures. We provide information about our carbon calculations, local impact, board structure, and much more. Based on this information, sports entities are compared using complex formulas to determine the rankings. What makes this assessment powerful is that it includes 300 global properties, from major sports leagues like the NHL and NBA to football clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Juventus, and even cricket clubs in India. Despite the differences in the nature of these entities, the robustness and advanced techniques behind the scenes ensure a fair comparison.”
“Finally, Formula E has received further recognition with a nomination for Best Sports Organization at the VEVO Sports Awards. This nomination is a testament to Palle’s dedication to ensuring that the sport is recognized by various organizations. She expresses her pride in the nomination.”
“It is always an honor to be nominated for prestigious awards. However, we believe that we are just fulfilling our daily responsibilities. Our focus is on following our sustainability strategy and striving to be the best example of sustainability in sports and beyond. Our goal is to set a standard for companies that prioritize environmental impact, social responsibility, and economic prosperity. This nomination is the result of our efforts to be positively disruptive and drive a paradigm shift towards a more sustainable world. In the face of current global instability, both geopolitical and financial, it is evident that we need a paradigm shift that prioritizes people and their planet. This is the essence of sustainability.”
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