Source: REUTERS/MIKE BLAKE
[Saba Sports News] The hydrogen fuel series Extreme H has formed a
partnership with the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) and
Formula 1 to establish a hydrogen energy working group. This collaboration aims
to contribute to the development of hydrogen batteries and fuel cells, with the
ultimate goal of creating the world’s first hydrogen racing project. The
project will be jointly led by Mark Grain, Pat Symonds, and Nikolas Tombazis,
all of whom are prominent figures in the Formula 1 industry. Grain brings
nearly 30 years of experience from McLaren, Symonds was previously the chief
technical officer of the Williams team, and Tombazis, who will become the FIA
technical director in 2023, has a background as the aerodynamics director for
F1 teams such as Ferrari and McLaren. In June of this year, the FIA and Extreme
H signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding, which states that Extreme H
will become part of the FIA Championship from the first season in 2025. The FIA
has been actively exploring hydrogen fuel energy since 2021, recognizing that
the rise of new energy vehicles will transform the landscape of the automotive
industry. With the technical expertise and support of both the FIA and Formula
1, the development of hydrogen energy vehicles is expected to progress more
smoothly, and there is even anticipation that these vehicles could meet
civilian needs within the next five years.