The world of Motorsport has been concerned about promoting and investing in more sustainability for its races, as a way to reduce its carbon footprint. For 2026, Formula 1 has confirmed a hydrogen agenda, in addition to a mysterious Working Group that will dictate the sport’s next steps. This news has everyone who follows the sport excited. Will we see hydrogen-powered cars in F1? Find out more about the Working Group involving F1 and its next steps in sustainability.
A new partnership in the automotive sector
This year saw the launch of Extreme H, a program that aims to provide races with hydrogen-powered cars. The idea of the project is to follow the same format as Formula E and Extreme E, which hold experimental competitions exclusively for electric cars. In addition to this category promoting more sustainable, technologically advanced, and less polluting races, it also has a big role in developing innovative research on sustainability in the Motorsport industry, with two partners.
The Fédération Internationale de L’Automobile (FIA) — the governing body of Motorsport — and F1 have joined forces with Extreme H in a joint Working Group to study and research cars powered by hydrogen and other more sustainable fuels. The research group will include the participation of important figures in Motorsport: Mark Grain, Extreme H technician; Pat Symonds, F1 technical director; Nikolas Tombazis, FIA single-seater director.
What does this study group consist of?
This partnership aims to be strategic in evaluating the development and applications of hydrogen technology in the future of Motorsports. The purpose of this research center is to monitor the progress and development of hydrogen technology and its applications within the automotive universe, such as the creation of fuel cells and battery systems (those used in Extreme H), track infrastructure, means of transport, and even more.
Formula 1 is betting on hydrogen
One of the consequences of the FIA adopting a sustainability agenda has been a rule change in the F1 championship. For the 2026 season, F1 is required to implement a fuel that is 100% sustainable, due to the new target of achieving net-zero emissions in the sport by 2030. The sport is therefore joining forces with its regulatory body and the Extreme H category precisely to find the best way to adapt to this new rule, and exploring other possibilities.
“With climate change mitigation at the forefront of everyone’s mind we are committed to promoting sustainability and therefore need to explore all areas of decarbonisation of the mobility sector. This must include sustainable liquid hydrocarbon fuels, electrification and hydrogen.” — Pat Symonds, F1’s chief technical officer
The choice of hydrogen as a fuel comes as a good answer to F1’s problems. The so-called “fuel of the future” uses an electrolysis process — the separation of hydrogen from water — in its formation, becoming highly energetic and, best of all, without emitting polluting gases in this process. That is why the choice of hydrogen as a fuel is one of the most interesting for the future of sport, in a world that is moving towards more sustainable energy options.
The testing field that could change F1
The new Extreme H category will play a central role in this research and development process. Launching in 2025, with 100% hydrogen-powered cars, the category will serve as a practical laboratory for these tests, and the lessons learned there could guide future decisions by F1. By seeking this less polluting change, F1 is competing for a leading role in sustainable innovation. And if it depends on the partnership with the FIA and Extreme H, hydrogen could indeed be the fuel of the next generation.
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