Williams' Capito convinced F1 must endorse 'social role'

Williams team boss Jost Capito believes Formula 1 needs to play a social role in society and help its fans increase their awareness of sustainability issues.

F1 detailed last year an ambitious sustainability plan that will see the sport enjoy a net-zero carbon footprint by 2030.

Furthermore, future engine regulations from 2026 at the latest will retain and perhaps even increase their current hybrid component, while the use of 100 percent biofuels will become mandatory at some point in the future.

But Williams' new team boss, whose principal task this season will be to try and turn around the Grove-based outfit's fortunes, believes the sport must leverage its appeal to its fans and play an active role in helping its base open up to the world's sustainability challenges.

"I discussed with the Williams owners and said that my aim is not just to get better results. I believe that motorsport also has a social role to play in society," Capito said in a podcast for German website Alte Schule.

Capito admitted that F1 fans aren't a particularly sustainability-minded group.

"Especially not in Formula 1, and that's why I think it has a job to get its fans to believe," he said. "It's not about

"This is not about prohibiting, but about adopting a different behavior which is just as beautiful, appealing and emotional as to what they are used to.

• Read also: Roberts aiming to keep 'family feeling' at Williams

Capito believes F1 has yet to fulfill its social responsibilities.

"I think Williams is predestined for it, because Williams is history. And we will clearly keep our history, but there has to be a Williams 2.0 that can take on a leading role in Formula 1 - if not in terms of performance at the moment, then definitely in terms of social thinking.

"This is just as important to me in the new job as improving the team results."

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