SAF is a renewable or waste-derived aviation fuel that the International Civil Aviation Organization believes can play a significant role in lowering future aviation emissions on a worldwide basis.
Because aviation accounts for more than a quarter of Mercedes-AMG F1's total estimated carbon footprint, this multimillion-dollar expenditure should have a major positive influence on the team's overall environmental impact.
Mercedes will employ SAF for indirect Scope 3 aviation emissions that are not covered by the Formula One cost cap, including as flights to Grand Prix venues and other corporate air travel. The immediate objective is to reduce the team's air travel footprint by half, which might be accomplished by 2026.
"Sustainable Aviation Fuel has the potential to transform the way we travel and the impact that we have on the environment,” said Mercedes-AMG F1 team principal and CEO, Toto Wolff.
"This is a topic that I think about a great deal personally as well as professionally. I fly a lot; the team flies a lot. If we must fly, then we need to find a better way to do so and SAF is the best solution available to the aviation industry right now. We aim to be on the cutting edge of change, using our global motorsport platform as a model for a more sustainable and diversified future.”
Despite the fact that current SAF production and availability are limited, the German firm hopes that by using their global platform to support the development and growth of this market, other industries will be inspired to do the same, which will drive further investment in SAF production.
"Our aim is to embed sustainability in every decision we make and action we take. We believe that Sustainable Aviation Fuel can change the way that sports and businesses more generally, as some of the biggest users of aviation, can exert a positive influence on the outside world," added the team's sustainability and environmental manager, Alice Ashpitel.