Sustainable Carbon FIbre Composites
Mercedes' 2025 W16 is its Debut Carbo Fibre Composite Car
Colin Smith — March 8, 2025
The Mercedes W16 is set to introduce innovative sustainable carbon fibre composites in the 2025 Formula 1 season. This marks the first time such materials will be used in Formula 1, with the aim of reducing the car's carbon footprint while maintaining high performance and safety standards. Carbon fibre composites form approximately 75% of the race car materials, and innovations in this area offer significant opportunities for sustainability. The sustainable carbon fibre composites are composed of two key components: the fibres, which make up about 60% of the material by weight, and the resin system, which accounts for the remaining 40%. By addressing both components, Mercedes aims to create a lightweight material with outstanding mechanical performance that meets the demanding requirements of Formula 1.
Mercedes has been working closely with its supply chain partners, including INEOS Nitriles, Toray, Syensqo, and Sigmatex, to develop and qualify these sustainable materials. The process involves rigorous laboratory testing to understand the technical properties and performance of the composites, followed by further trials and verification on the racetrack. The introduction of sustainable carbon fibre composites aligns with Mercedes' goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across all scopes by 2040. This innovation not only benefits motorsport but also has the potential to be applied in other industries, such as aviation and aerospace.
