London-listed oil major BP is teaming up with Audi as rhe German carmaker prepares to enter a term in Formula 1..
The Audi team will race from the 2026 season, when new technical regulations will come into force covering increased use of electrification and sustainable fuels.
Greenhouse gas emissions from the new fuels must be cut by at least 65% compared with fossil-derived petrol.
BP will offer its expertise in this area, and has been engineering suitable fuels for two years. There are also specialist lubricants from BP’s Castrol brand. They will include a range of fluids for the electrical components in Audi’s F1 power unit and its V6 turbo engine.
Both aim to “enable maximum performance from the Audi F1 Power Unit,” BP said today.
The deal makes BP the first official partner of Audi’s F1 team. There will be marketing and branding rights for BP and its Castrol and Aral brands, with Aral its fuel and retail arm in Germany.
BP has already worked with Audi in other forms of motorsport, including the World Rally Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hour Race.
Adam Baker, CEO of Audi Formula Racing said:
“This partnership is of great importance to us. There will be strong competition in the field of sustainable fuels in Formula 1 from 2026.
“In view of the high performance potential, it was important for us to start our fuel testing at the end of 2022 with BP as our partner. The combustion process is highly complex and can only be optimized by developing the engine in combination with the fuel properties.”
BP’s Nicola Buck said: “We are already making great progress … as we seek to innovate and unlock maximum engine performance for the Audi F1 Power Unit.”
