Plant a tree: More racing series, more drivers, more trees
Motorsport means much more to Schaeffler than the quest for fast lap times, points, and titles. Motorsport is also a development laboratory in which cutting-edge technology is tested and prepared for use in volume production vehicles. But motorsport can also make a contribution to sustainability. This is demonstrated by the development of the DTM Electric car, a pioneer for the DTM of the future, and the Schaeffler “Score a point, plant a tree” campaign. Following its successful start in 2020, Schaeffler continued the campaign on a significantly larger scale in 2021.
One tree per point
Schaeffler planted 111 trees in 2020. The small “Schaeffler Forest” has been planted near the Baden-Württemberg municipality of Binau. Thanks go to Schaeffler brand ambassador Marco Wittmann who was instrumental in planting the trees. Schaeffler planted one tree for every point that Marco Wittmann (a native of Fürth) won during the past DTM season.
Schaeffler significantly extended its commitment at the start of the 2021 motorsport season. In his quest to collect points and trees, the two-time DTM champion Marco Wittmann now received help from four other drivers
In the DTM, Schaeffler brand ambassador Sophia Flörsch was collecting points and thus trees together with Marco Wittmann. Carrie Schreiner also competed for the “Score a point, plant a tree” campaign within the context of the DTM. The Schaeffler brand ambassador drove in the BMW M2 Cup, in which the races were held as part of the DTM supporting program.
237 Points
In Formula E, our drivers were not just competing for points but also for trees in 2021. Lucas di Grassi and René Rast from the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team joined the campaign. This meant that in 2021 five drivers would be giving all they've got in three racing series to convert their performances on the racetrack into a positive effect for the environment. And their success is there for all to see: Together, their performances are responsible for the planting of no fewer than 357 new trees. As such, the Schaeffler Forest will be more than four times larger after the 2021 motorsport season than it was previously. Together with Marco Wittmann and Sophia Flörsch, Schaeffler will be increasing the number of trees to 400 once the season finishes.
Four trees offset the annual CO₂ footprint
One thing is already certain: The effect is long term, because the trees that Schaeffler is planting will make a sustainable contribution to climate and species protection. The trees will not be used for agricultural purposes but will be allowed to grow and reach their natural age, meaning that they should be there for 100 years – or maybe even longer.
One tree absorbs approximately three tons of CO2 in the course of a century. That corresponds approximately to the quantity of carbon dioxide, which one person produces in three months. This means that four trees planted each year offsets the average CO2 footprint.
Motorsport as a tech lab
The “Score a point, plant a tree” campaign is one of many tangible sustainability projects at Schaeffler and, in combination with Schaeffler technology of the highest quality and reliability, creates a consistent overall image. Schaeffler uses the expertise gained for the development of components and systems in motorsport to make them ready for volume production. Examples are innovative products such as the thermal management module (TMM), the UniAir fully variable valve control system, and the electric camshaft phasing unit. All of these products contribute to increased efficiency in volume production vehicles.
Schaeffler also plays a decisive role in the electrification of the DTM and is the development partner supplying the drive systems for the new all-electric race cars. Schaeffler showed at the final DTM round of the 2020 season what the cars in an electric DTM will be capable of, with the DTM Electric completing a number of demonstration laps. One year later, at the Norisring race weekend, Schaeffler unveiled the future look of the car with the DTM Electric Design Model.
In 2021, Sophia Flörsch, Marco Wittmann, Carrie Schreiner, Lucas di Grassi, and René Rast took the opportunity to score points and plant the Schaeffler Forest in many races and in three racing series. We will keep you informed about the current status of our joint mission again in 2022, via our social media channels and with our tree tracker.