July 16th 2024

bp to develop FIA-specified Advanced Sustainable fuel for Audi’s F1 entry in 2026

Audi and bp are joining forces in an extensive new strategic partnership in Formula 1. Under the new partnership, bp and its specialist lubricants business Castrol will help deliver Audi’s ambition to combine technology and innovation to achieve success in Formula 1. (Earlier post.) The parties have been working closely together for almost two years, co-engineering bp fuels and Castrol lubricants to enable maximum performance from the Audi F1 Power Unit.

The collaboration includes the development of the FIA defined Advanced Sustainable fuel as required by the FIA F1 Technical Regulations from 2026. To meet the regulations, the fuel must achieve greenhouse gas emissions savings relative to fossil-derived gasoline of at least 65%. (Earlier post.)

bp will also develop and supply Audi with a range of bespoke Castrol lubricants and greases including Castrol EDGE, Castrol’s most advanced engine oil, for the V6 turbo engine. Electrical components of the Audi F1 Power Unit will benefit from the Castrol ON range of EV fluids.

Further building on the technical cooperation, the companies have also agreed a long-term sponsorship, with bp becoming the first official partner of the future Audi factory team in Formula 1. This will include marketing and branding rights for bp, Castrol and Aral brands (Aral is bp’s leading fuel and retail brand in Germany).

Audi and bp already have a long and successful joint history in motorsport with Castrol products being used to win in every Audi motorsport factory program. This began back in the 1980s in the World Rally with the Audi quattro. Castrol was also a partner of Audi in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours, FIA World Rallycross Championship, FIA Formula E World Championship and in the DTM race series.

The highly efficient 2 liter, 4-cylinder turbo engine developed by Audi and used in the DTM in 2019 and 2020, became the most successful engine in the Class 1 era of the DTM with Castrol lubricants and high-performance fuel developed by Aral.

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