BP and Castrol join forces with Renault F1 for five year deal // A new supplier for the French team
Published by Christine Blachford
Renault Sport have announced today they are partnering with BP and Castrol for their fuel and oil needs, embarking on a five year deal with the global oil company. Managing director, Cyril Abiteboul, said: “With the new aerodynamic regulations for 2017, power sensitivity will increase, therefore fuels and lubricants will make an even greater difference to the overall performance of the car than they have since the new power unit regulations were introduced in 2014.”
More interestingly, it is something of a returning partnership for the pair, as Renault were dealing with BP fuel back in 1997, when they powered Williams to victory. This new signing also means that the Renault engine department will have to work on two different kinds of fuel. Where Renault and Red Bull were both powered by Total in previous years, the French oil company has withdrawn from the sport, and Red Bull have snapped up Exxon/Mobil from McLaren, whilst Renault are going with BP. There’s talk that McLaren will also sign a deal with BP, but that has still to be confirmed.
