F1 is backing the hydrogen-powered Extreme H rally series

F1, the FIA and Extreme E - the all-electric rallying series that is set to become an all-hydrogen rallying series in 2025 - have joined forces to pool knowledge and expertise for future use.

The Hydrogen Working Group will consist of Extreme E technical director Mark Grain, F1’s chief technical officer Pat Symonds, and the FIA’s single seater director Nikolas Tombazis.

Together they will monitor the progression of the hydrogen tech that will underpin the new sport. This includes the fuel cell and the battery, as well as fundamentals like race infrastructure, transport, charging, storage, and of course safety.

Why does F1 care about hydrogen-based off-roading? Well, because hydrogen is seen by some as the potential Holy Grail fuel that will keep F1 going for decades to come, while battery-electric tech is still nowhere near energy-dense enough to take over from the 1.6-litre V6 hybrids that currently power the sport. Plus, y’know, Formula E exists.

F1’s engine rules are set for a shake-up in 2026: V6 hybrids will remain central to the powertrain, although the hybrid system is due to account for up to half of the 1,000bhp that the drivers will have delicately placed underneath their right feet.

An Extreme H prototype will get its first proper shakedown before the year is out, with a full testing programme scheduled for 2024. Its inaugural season is set to take place in 2025, with plans for it to become a full FIA world championship the following year.

“It’s a privilege to be working alongside Formula 1 and the FIA as we continue to develop our world-first hydrogen racing proposition,” said Grain. “Our transition to Extreme H makes us the pioneers and first-ever testbed of hydrogen technology in motorsport – not only in our racing cars, but also transportation, infrastructure, refuelling processes and safety regulations.

“It’s a ground-breaking initiative and we look forward to collaborating with Formula 1 and Pat [Symonds] both technically and operationally, as we continue to champion new technologies and break boundaries on behalf of motorsport, with hydrogen at the forefront.”

And Symonds added: “Our sport has a tradition of bringing new technologies to the forefront of public perception in incredibly short timescales. We do this by being open-minded to all solutions and embracing cross-functional engineering. With climate change mitigation at the forefront of everyone’s mind we are committed to promoting sustainability and therefore need to explore all areas of decarbonisation of the mobility sector.

“This must include sustainable liquid hydrocarbon fuels, electrification and hydrogen. This Working Group enables a collaboration which will allow us to gain first-hand experience and contribute to the understanding and development of the many aspects of hydrogen propulsion that Extreme H will embrace.”