ENGINEERS behind an eco-friendly car hailed as the future of motor sport were barred from making their Formula 3 debut yesterday.

Experts from Scott Racing had hoped the World-First Eco F3, which is fuelled by a derivative of chocolate and built partly from potatoes and carrots, would compete with the championship’s best in the last race of the season, at Brands Hatch, in Kent.

It would have made history, becoming the first biodiesel-powered car to race at Formula 3, which is considered the training ground for Formula 1 drivers.

But red tape condemned the car to the pits, with race marshals standing in front of the nose to prevent driver Aaron Steele taking to the track.

Officials had been unable to contact one driver, who was not racing yesterday, to give his consent to changing a rule allowing only petrol-fuelled cars to compete.

Tim Scott, managing director of Scott Racing, which is based in Durham City, and the car’s other backers will have to wait until next season to get their chance.

Mr Scott said: “It’s very disappointing, because I think we would have done very well and shown motor sport as doing its bit to create environmentally- friendly vehicles.”

The team had been hopeful of a top three finish, after the car was fifthfastest in practice.

Although marshals prevented Mr Steele from qualifying on Saturday, his staff were still hopeful agreement could be reached before yesterday’s race, allowing the Eco F3 to start at the back of the grid.

But their hopes were dashed, with the car limited to three demonstration laps.

Mr Scott said: “It’s hugely frustrating. We were being assured it was all being sorted out. It’s a misinterpretation of the rules.

“I think it’s indicative of the fact that motor sport doesn’t appreciate how serious it needs to be about environmentally-friendly changes.”

The car was developed by researchers at Warwick University, with Scott Racing creating the engine, which runs on fuel made from vegetable and waste oils, and chocolate vegetable oil.

The steering wheel is made from carrot fibres wrapped around a foam core, while the wing mirrors are made from a material derived from potatoes.

The Eco F3 can go from zero to 60mph in 2.5 seconds and was capable of reaching 140mph at Brands Hatch.