The Green Transition in Motorsport

This book is a critical exploration of motorsport's contribution to 'the green transition', understood as a societal shift towards a fossil-free future, a circular economy, and greater social inclusiveness. The book takes a critical look at the historical impact of motorsport and the current business and sporting models that determine its sustainability, as well as the innovation that might contribute solutions to wider social and environmental problems. Drawing on perspectives from sociology, media and sport business, the book unpacks the complexity of stakeholder interests in motorsport that might constrain positive change. Presenting cases and data from Formula One, Formula E, Extreme E, the World Rally Championship, NASCAR and the World Endurance Championship, the book considers the technological and organizational change required to address the triple bottom line of financial, environmental and social sustainability, and looks at how audiences, markets, teams, governing bodies, corporations, and state actors combine to shape the social and economic environments within which motorsport takes place. Representing a unique case study of the impact of elite sport on wider society, this book is fascinating reading for anybody with an interest in motorsport, sport business, sustainable business, or environment, society and culture.

Hans Erik Næss is Professor of Sport Management in the Department of Leadership and Organization at Kristiania University College in Norway. His research interests include leadership and organization of sport, as well as the sociology of diversity, inclusion, and human rights. He has published extensively on sport governing bodies, globalization, sustainability, and motorsports, including The Future of Motorsports (2023, Routledge). Samuel Tickell is a Postdoctoral Researcher with the Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Münster in Germany. His research focuses on sport media and sport management. He has published on the fragmentation of broadcast media delivery and financialisation models regarding niche sports like the World Rally Championship. Additionally, he has a long professional history in motorsport media in Australia and Europe, having worked mostly in Le Mans-style sportscar racing, and various rally championships, including the World Rally Championship.

1. The Contradiction of Contemporary Motorsport: Green Management?, 2. A Theoretical Framework: Green Automobilia?, 3. The Status of Federation de Internationale l'Automobile (FIA) in Leading the Change: Green Governance?, 4. Sustainable Business Models and Circular Economy Efforts: Green Cash?, 5. The Environmental Commitment in NASCAR and Formula 1: Green Media Messages?, 6. 'Garage 56', 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Conditions for Experimentation: Green Innovation?, 7. Decentralised Motorsport and Environmental Friendliness: Green Fans?, 8. Motorsport Towards 2035: Green Future?