The FIA is currently conducting an extensive series of safety evaluations in preparation for the planned introduction of hydrogen-powered Hypercars into the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2030.
During the ACO’s press briefing at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, the broad outline of the proposed hydrogen regulations was presented, including how these vehicles would be balanced with the existing hybrid Hypercars.
The FIA has previously outlined how hydrogen could be integrated across different levels of motorsport, but the finer points are now being finalized.
Although liquefied hydrogen has been designated as the safest storage option compared with hydrogen in gaseous form, research is continuing on a range of materials to determine the most suitable options for hydrogen tanks in the cars.
Destructive and crash tests of various hydrogen storage tanks have been conducted at a specialized testing facility on behalf of the governing body.
“Obviously, as with any new technology entering competition, there are substantial challenges to overcome, so progress will be incremental,” said Marek Nawarecki, the FIA’s senior circuit sport director, in an interview with Sportscar365.
“Today we are at a crucial stage, the phase where we assess all safety aspects of the new technology.”
“Having selected the baseline, we are now commencing the study of how to implement it; we are conducting a series of tests in which hydrogen fuel tanks are subjected to different constraints to observe the effects and to define more precisely the safety measures needed for the liquid hydrogen fuel tank and the power unit, ensuring that nothing essential is overlooked in the subsequent steps.”
“The next step will be to work on the specific technical regulations, after which those standards will be integrated into the actual car model.”
Nawarecki noted that the crash tests are also evaluating the level of protection required for a range of materials.
He emphasized that once the standards and regulations are established, the FIA will need to work closely with its member clubs around the world to ensure hydrogen-powered cars comply with local laws and that racing venues are prepared for the new technology.
Nawarecki described his outlook as “reasonably optimistic” about seeing hydrogen Hypercars on the World Endurance Championship grid by 2030.
“The hydrogen technology used in motorsport mirrors its broader adoption in the automotive industry,” he explained. “We have no option but to collaborate with the sector on this.”
“Our partners are the manufacturers, and those manufacturers are part of this journey; many of them have shown interest in this technology, with some already taking concrete steps.”
However, he cautioned that hydrogen should not be the sole focus of FIA activity moving forward, and that other alternative fuels must also be explored.
“We cannot concentrate exclusively on a single technology; we must remain open to a variety of technologies,” Nawarecki stated.
“This is why it’s important to recognize that, while I am hopeful hydrogen can play a strong role, it will not represent the only path.”
“Considering what’s happening globally, and the diversity of powertrains and energy supply across different regions, the future will feature a broader range of technologies, and motorsport regulations need to accommodate that versatility.”
