Sustainability management framework for motorsport events in urban environments

Challenge

The development of urban circuits for motorsport competitions requires a comprehensive assessment and management of the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts of events held in complex urban spaces (City Racing). In this context, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) needs a structured understanding of the impacts, risks, and opportunities of City Racing, considering its interaction with existing infrastructure, public authorities, local communities, and other relevant stakeholders in order to move towards a Net Positive Impact.

Results

Se he realizado un análisis integral del City Racing desde una perspectiva ESG, aplicando una metodología inside-out / outside-in para identificar impactos, riesgos y oportunidades a lo largo de todo el ciclo de vida de las competiciones urbanas, desde el diseño del circuito hasta el legado para la ciudad anfitriona.

El análisis se ha apoyado en entrevistas con actores clave del ecosistema City Racing, así como en el estudio de casos de circuitos urbanos y eventos de referencia, entre ellos el Singapore, Melbourne y Jeddah F1 GP, Vancouver E-Prix o el Coventry MotoFest, permitiendo contrastar enfoques, prácticas y modelos de gestión en distintos contextos urbanos y regulatorios.

A comprehensive analysis of City Racing has been conducted from an ESG perspective, applying an inside-out/outside-in methodology to identify impacts, risks, and opportunities throughout the entire lifecycle of urban racing events, from circuit design to the legacy for the host city.

The analysis was supported by interviews with key stakeholders in the City Racing ecosystem, as well as case studies of urban circuits and benchmark events, including the Singapore, Melbourne, and Jeddah F1 GPs, the Vancouver E-Prix, and the Coventry MotoFest. This allowed for a comparison of approaches, practices, and management models across different urban and regulatory contexts.

Key components of the “Future City Racing” report include:

• City Racing’s alignment with international sustainability frameworks, such as the CSRD, the Paris Agreement, the New Urban Agenda, the UN Guiding Principles on Sustainable Development, and the OECD’s Guide to Responsible Business Practices, among others.
• The identification and prioritization of 16 key ESG issues for City Racing, grouped into five main categories: innovation & business model, climate action & environment, local development, employment, and governance. These issues are analyzed across all phases of the urban circuit’s lifecycle.
• The development of strategic recommendations aligned with benchmark standards, aimed at driving innovation and generating positive impact. All of this is based on the systematization of best practices identified throughout the City Racing analysis.