F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg has teamed up with Oxford University's SDG Impact Lab and the Silverstone Circuit to fund and support three PhD students' research into fan travel and biodiversity impacts at the 2024 British Grand Prix.

Announced ahead of this year's showpiece race, the partnership with s Rosberg Philanthropies will see selected students analyse data sets from the British Grand Prix, which was attended by almost half-a-million fans in 2023.

Formula 1 will fund one of the three students, while Silverstone will provide access to data, facilities, and industry insights. The students will analyse automatic number-plate recognition camera data, air quality monitors, satellite imagery from the European Space Agency, and data from the circuit's ticketing app. It will then harness the data to suggest potential avenues for reducing the carbon impact of fan travel.

Drawing on guidance from the UN ‘Sports for Nature' Framework, the research project will also audit biodiversity at the circuit to create an effective baseline for future efforts to maintain and improve the health of the local ecosystem.

The research recommendations will aim to be published before the end of the year.

The partnership with SDG Impact Lab, which will provide academic support and guidance to the PhD students throughout their research, builds upon previous work with Rosberg Philanthropies which has already seen the 2016 F1 World Champion support research on carbon capture, tackling ocean plastic pollution, and alternative fuels.

In 2022, Silverstone launched its sustainability strategy "Shifting to Zero" to support F1;s goals to be net zero by 2030 and reduce its carbon footprint by 50 per cent by 2030. The first track is also the first race circuit to join the UNFCCC Sport for Climate Action framework. 

Its sustainability initiatives include a commitment to zero single use plastic and goal to ensure 100 per cent of waste is reused, recycled and composted targets by 2026. It has also pledged to use 100 per cent green electricity, HVO biofuel to power its temporary generators, and has deployed almost 3,000 solar panels to cover 13 per cent of its annual electricity consumption.

"Silverstone is special: winning there in 2013 and feeling the passion of the British fans is one of my highlights as a racing driver," Rosberg said. "By collaborating with Formula 1 and Silverstone and building on our existing partnership with Oxford University's SDG Impact Lab, we aim to identify and implement effective strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of the British Grand Prix and provide a case study for racing events globally. This initiative is a significant step towards a more sustainable future for motorsport."

Ellen Jones, head of ESG at Formula 1, said inspiring the next generation on and off track is critically important to Formula 1. "As we continue to be on track to our Net Zero by 2030 goal, research collaborations like this are a fantastic way to invest not only in future solutions but also in developing future leaders in the sustainability space," she said. 

In related news, Rosberg's former team Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS this week inked a deal with Dutch tech firm Signify to support the team's drivers, engineers, and team members with new sustainable lighting solutions.

"Innovation and performance are at the heart of everything we do," said Toto Wolff, team principal and CEO at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. "We are also conscious of our wider social responsibilities and therefore embed sustainability in every action. Partnering with Signify is an exciting step that will help us make further progress in both of these areas.

"Their world-leading lighting technology already powers several night races and their pioneering commitment to climate action is inspiring. We look forward to working together to establish synergies in this area and their support in our ambition to become one of the world's most sustainable sports teams.

"We also believe that well-being is linked closely with performance. Signify's lighting technology and innovation will ensure optimal conditions for our team members, and we are excited to explore how we can optimise these opportunities further."

Mercedes also this week launched a partnership with sportswear brand Puma and British zero-waste label Raeburn to incorporate elements from race-worn suits into fashion pieces made with recycled materials.