POTATOES and carrots could be used instead of carbon fibre to manufacture racing cars.

The first car of its type – also made with jute, linen and soya – was presented yesterday at the opening of Valencia’s Formula One Grand Prix.

This novel creation was the result of research by the University of Warwick, in the UK, together with the Plastic Technological Institute (AIMPLAS) in Paterna (Valencia).

According to motor engineer James Meredith, who is heading up the project, cars made of organic materials such as these will be less likely to need petrol or diesel and, once they have passed their shelf-life, will be biodegradable.

The car has radiators covered with a catalytic converter and its lubricant is vegetable oil.

He stresses that the motor industry ‘needs to be more environment-conscious’ but without any loss of performance in the case of motor sports.

The team are also working on material for brake shoes made from cashew nuts.

In the meantime, the car – which is designed for Formula Three racing – is on display in the area known as Beach Park on La Malvarrosa beach, close to the F1 circuit.