Our Power: How Public Outcry Stopped F1’s Plan to Fell 100,000 Trees in Brazil

Formula 1 circuits promise a global spectacle, but sometimes, this comes at the cost of the environment. In 2019, a highly controversial plan emerged in Brazil: clear around 100,000 trees for a new Formula 1 circuit in Rio de Janeiro. However, with intense public backlash and intervention from environmental groups, the project was halted.

The proposed circuit, known as the Rio Motorpark, was set to be built in the Camboatá Forest, a rare greenbelt on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. The project aimed to replace São Paulo’s historic Interlagos track as the Brazilian Grand Prix’s new home, promising state-of-the-art facilities and a financial boost for the region. However, the plan also involved razing a vast swath of Atlantic Forest, one of the planet’s most threatened biomes.

As details of the project emerged, environmentalists, scientists, and local communities swiftly raised concerns. The Camboatá Forest is home to endangered species and plays a vital role in mitigating urban heat and flooding. Activists argued that the destruction would be irreversible and that compensatory replanting could not replace the biodiversity lost.

Social media campaigns and public demonstrations surged under hashtags like #SalveCamboatá and #F1SemDesmatamento (“F1 Without Deforestation”), drawing national and international attention. Over 100,000 people signed petitions urging Formula 1 and local authorities to reconsider.

Facing mounting pressure, Rio’s environmental agency delayed the project’s environmental license, citing insufficient impact studies. Formula 1, conscious of its commitment to sustainability and net-zero carbon goals by 2030, publicly stated that it would not support the project without a “clear and sustainable plan” for the forest.

São Paulo’s mayor and state officials seized the moment, reaffirming their commitment to keeping the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, which boasts a more sustainable legacy and existing infrastructure.

By late 2020, the project was effectively shelved. Environmentalists celebrated the decision as a landmark victory for conservation in Brazil’s urban centres.

While the F1 calendar remains unchanged, the episode has sparked broader conversations about the environmental impact of major sporting events. Formula 1 has since reiterated its commitment to greener practices, and Brazil’s racing fans continue to enjoy the thrill of the Grand Prix—without sacrificing their city’s precious forests.

The Camboatá Forest stands as a testament to what collective action can achieve in the face of environmental threats.