A new report examining the sustainability of race circuits around the world has listed the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello in Italy, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain, and Circuit Paul Ricard in France as the top three performers globally. 

The report – ‘snappily’-titled ‘Racing towards a sustainable future: a review of the disclosed sustainability performance of international racing circuits’ – was published by Enovation Consulting Ltd and Right Hub Srl and examines the environmental impact 96 permanent motorsport circuits around the world have on their surrounding communities. Each circuit was assessed using 21 separate criteria across seven different areas (certifications; accreditations; awards; environmental performance; social performance; economic impact; and sustainability approach and engagement).

Evidence was collected between August and December 2020 with each of the permanent facilities given a score from of a maximum of 100. The results create the first Sustainable Circuits Index (SCI).

The ever-changing nature of street circuits meant finding an accurate score for temporary facilities was impossible. 

Unsurprisingly, North America and Europe featured the most circuits tested – 35 and 34 respectively – while 12 are based in Australasia. The remaining 15 were split across South America (3), Asia (7), the Middle East (4) and Africa (1).

The Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello scored 48 out of a possible 100. The Tuscan circuit, host of the Hankook 12H MUGELLO every year – bar one – since 2014, “uses 100 percent renewable energy” and produces 25 percent of its annual energy demand on-site via solar panels. LED external lighting saves energy, while a rainwater recovery system is used for toilets and irrigation purposes. Significantly, 120 water fountains around the facility minimizes the need for plastic water bottles by fans and team personnel. Mugello was the only track of the 96 within the SCI to score a maximum of four stars.  

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (38/100) ran the Autodromo close. Like Mugello, Catalunya uses 100 percent renewable energy, features a solely electric fleet of paddock and perimeter road vehicles, and has installed numerous charging stations for EVs. Food waste is also kept to a minimum with several social initiatives. Circuit Paul Ricard meanwhile (33/100) features four ‘beehives’ to collect and analyse pollutants in the air, water and flora surrounding the circuit, while 99 percent of its lighting is LED. 

Both Barcelona and Paul Ricard were awarded three stars. The latter has hosted the Hankook 24H BARCELONA on all but two occasions since 1998, while the latter has featured on the CREVENTIC calendar four times since 2015. 

All three of the top circuits have, or will, host a 24H SERIES event in 2021. 

“I have been involved with the safety and sustainability of racing tracks for many years now, as a driver, Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) Chairman and a circuit designer,” explains former Formula 1 driver Alex Wurz, who welcomed the report. “And while I would argue that big improvements have been made in terms of safety, I also know that there is a long way to go in terms of fully embracing sustainability for racing tracks around the globe.

“Motorsport has historically been defined by its commitment to innovation and excellence through competition. It’s now critically important for our sport to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability through collaboration. This paper highlights the new metrics for success in this global effort and provides circuits with the tools they need to help win the race for our planet, a race which we can only win together.”

Though not identified as sustainability leaders, the report highlighted five other circuits for their sustainability efforts. In the United States of America, both Pocono Raceway and Sonoma Raceway have shown a “strong commitment towards environmental and energy management” with a number of fan-focused initiatives. Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Spain and the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in Italy – the latter of which hosted the inaugural Hankook 12H MISANO in 2017 – have worked to reduce surplus food at events, while Autodromo Vallelunga Piero Taruffi in Italy is the official testing venue for Electric Touring Car Racing (ETCR). All four received either one or two stars in the SCI.

Enovation Consulting Ltd and Right Hub Srl have expressed an interest in the Sustainable Circuits Index white paper becoming an annual report. The 2021 edition can be read in full HERE.