Smoking gentlemen - How formula one has controlled CO² emissions

Abstract

This article reports estimates of the level of CO₂ emissions created by Formula One (F1) cars on Sunday races. Supported by a variety of sources and using Monte Carlo iterations, we obtained values identifying important periods of change. These periods were identified using tests of structural breaks. We observe that the 1966–1970 period (related to the dominance of DFV/Cosworth engines) is associated with an increase in CO₂ emissions, whereas the 1992–1995 period (related to lighter and more efficient engines) is associated with a decrease in estimated levels of emitted CO₂. Our results do not identify the deep modifications following more “green” regulations in 2009–2011 as a relevant change.