Introduction – McLaren And Deloitte Partnership
In May of 2023, McLaren Racing extended its partnership with Deloitte, aiming to advance its sustainability mission by developing the concept for a circular Formula 1 racing car. The partnership will leverage Deloitte’s newly-launched GreenSpace Tech offering to help McLaren accelerate its decarbonization efforts.
The initiative is part of McLaren’s efforts to achieve net-zero targets without compromising performance. Deloitte’s role will focus on embedding the principles of circularity, including waste elimination and resource maximization through reuse and recycling.
This announcement comes on the heels of McLaren’s latest Sustainability Report, detailing their progress and future sustainability goals. Both companies recognize their role in combatting climate change and view their collaboration as an opportunity to develop innovative solutions in the sporting industry.
The ultimate goal of the partnership is to facilitate the transition of McLaren Racing towards a more sustainable future, emphasizing both sustainability and performance in Formula 1.
What Is A Circular Car
As mystifying as it might sound, a circular car is a reasonable concept. In the context of sustainability and environmental stewardship, it refers to a vehicle that embodies the principles of the circular economy. The circular economy is an economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources through principles like “reduce, reuse, and recycle.”
Applied to a car, these principles could manifest in a variety of ways:
- Design: A circular car would be designed from the outset to be easily disassembled, with parts that can be replaced individually, extending the vehicle’s life.
- Materials: Circular vehicles would use materials that are either recycled or bio-based, reducing the demand for new, virgin materials.
- End of Life: At the end of its life, a circular car would be easy to disassemble so that its components can be reused or recycled.
- Energy Efficiency: Circular cars would ideally also be energy efficient, using renewable energy sources such as solar or wind, or energy storage systems like advanced batteries, thus reducing their carbon footprint.
In the context of McLaren’s announcement with Deloitte, a “circular” Formula 1 car would likely embrace these principles to reduce environmental impact while still maintaining high performance.
Mclaren Is An Automotive Designer And Racing Entity
McLaren Racing is a prominent entity in the motorsport world, especially renowned for its participation in Formula 1. Founded in 1963 by racing driver Bruce McLaren, the team has a rich history of success, including 20 Formula 1 world championships and victories in prestigious events like the Indianapolis 500 and the Le Mans 24 Hours.
McLaren Racing also competes across multiple other racing series, such as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, and the Extreme E Championship. Additionally, the organization has a firm commitment to sustainability and aims to achieve net zero by 2040.
Deloitte Is A Major Consultancy Specializing In Sustainability
Deloitte, on the other hand, is one of the “Big Four” accounting organizations and the largest professional services network in the world by revenue and number of professionals. Founded in London in 1845, it provides a wide range of services such as audit, tax, consulting, enterprise risk, and financial advisory services.
In recent years, Deloitte has been increasingly involved in sustainability and climate-related consulting, offering integrated services through its global practice, Deloitte Sustainability & Climate. The firm helps organizations define their path to a more sustainable future and accelerate their decarbonization efforts.
Formula E History
McLaren already participates in the Formula E which is a single-seater motorsport championship that uses only electric-powered cars. Initiated by FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) in 2014, Formula E serves as a platform for demonstrating and developing electric vehicle technology, with an explicit focus on sustainability and innovation.
The races, known as ePrix, take place in city centers around the globe. The championship has a unique format with practice, qualifying, and the race all taking place on a single day, to minimize disruption in the host cities.
In terms of technology, Formula E has played a key role in pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle technology, with advances in areas like energy recovery systems, battery technology, and energy efficiency. The technological innovations and knowledge gained in Formula E often trickle down to commercial electric vehicles, contributing to the wider adoption of electric cars.
As mentioned, McLaren Racing is involved in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, reflecting its commitment to sustainability and the advancement of electric vehicle technology.
