Audi And BP Unite In Strategic Formula 1 Partnership For Electrification And Sustainable Fuel

Updated: Monday, July 15, 2024, 15:31 [IST]

Audi and BP have announced a significant new strategic partnership in Formula 1. As Audi gears up to join the top tier of motor racing in 2026, coinciding with the introduction of new FIA F1 Technical Regulations, this collaboration aims to shape the future of motorsport with enhanced electrification and Advanced Sustainable fuel.

Under this agreement, BP and its specialist lubricants business Castrol will support Audi's ambition to blend technology and innovation for success in Formula 1. For nearly two years, both parties have been co-engineering BP fuels and Castrol lubricants to optimise the performance of the Audi F1 Power Unit.

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Development of Advanced Sustainable Fuel

The partnership includes developing the FIA-defined Advanced Sustainable fuel required by the FIA F1 Technical Regulations from 2026. This fuel must achieve at least a 65% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil-derived petrol.

BP will also supply Audi with bespoke Castrol lubricants and greases, including Castrol EDGE, their most advanced engine oil, for the V6 turbo engine. The electrical components of the Audi F1 Power Unit will benefit from Castrol ON EV fluids.

Sponsorship Agreement

In addition to technical cooperation, BP has agreed to a long-term sponsorship deal, becoming the first official partner of Audi's future factory team in Formula 1. This includes marketing and branding rights for BP, Castrol, and Aral brands (Aral being BP's leading fuel and retail brand in Germany).

Audi and BP have a long history of successful collaboration in motorsport. Castrol products have been used in every Audi motorsport factory program since the 1980s World Rally Championship with the Audi quattro. They were also partners in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), Le Mans 24 Hours, FIA World Rallycross Championship, FIA Formula E World Championship, and DTM race series.

Quotes from Key Figures

Andreas Seidl, CEO of Audi F1 team, stated: "Audi and BP have always worked together successfully in motorsport. We are delighted that we can take this special partnership to the next level in Formula 1."

Nicola Buck, SVP marketing at BP, commented: "We are proud that Audi has once again chosen to partner with BP and Castrol, this time for their entry into Formula 1. It gives our premium brands the opportunity to showcase our technical expertise at the pinnacle of motorsport."

Technical Advancements

The highly efficient two-litre four-cylinder turbo engine developed by Audi for DTM in 2019-2020 became Class 1 era's most successful engine using Castrol lubricants and high-performance fuel developed by Aral.

Adam Baker, CEO of Audi Formula Racing GmbH, highlighted: "This partnership is of great importance to us. There will be strong competition in sustainable fuels from 2026. It was crucial for us to start our fuel testing at end-2022 with BP as our partner. The combustion process is highly complex and can only be optimised by developing engine-fuel properties together."

"At Audi Formula Racing," Baker continued, "we use all three single-cylinder test benches allowed by FIA regulations intensively for fuel development. It's impressive how many different fuel variants we've developed so far as we prepare for our 2026 race season. I am convinced that we are perfectly positioned with BP and Castrol."

This collaboration between Audi and BP signifies a robust commitment towards innovation in motorsport while adhering to sustainability goals set by upcoming regulations.