Shell continues its tryst with Scuderia Ferrari

NEW DELHI : Shell celebrated the 450th race in its close technical partnership with Scuderia Ferrari at the Australian Grand Prix, with the confirmation that the record-breaking collaboration will continue for a further five years from 2011. Shell has worked alongside Ferrari for over 60 years to produce and develop racing fuels and lubricants that optimise performance and efficiency. The technical partnership has achieved 10 Constructors’ World Championship titles and 12 Drivers’ World Championship titles since it began at the1950 Monaco Grand Prix. “Shell has been crucial in our victories, particularly in the last 15 years,” said Luca di Montezemolo, Chairman of Ferrari (and the Fiat Group) “When the competition has been very tight, one tenth, two tenths, the work with Shell has been crucial to gain what was necessary to be competitive. The relationship between our people and Shell people in the factory and at the track is very important and it has always been excellent.” The landmark 450th race was celebrated at the Australian Grand Prix with both Scuderia Ferrari F10 cars carrying a unique ‘450 Races with Shell’ branding on the side throughout the weekend, as a tribute to Shell’s continuous effort to help the team achieve its competitive edge. The shared passion for performance has led to success for legends such as Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher. At the 2010 season opener in Bahrain, Fernando Alonso became the 66th Ferrari driver to be powered by Shell fuels and lubricants – and his victory made him the partnership’s 25th different winner. Piero Ferrari, Vice-President of Ferrari and son of founder Enzo Ferrari, added: “Ferrari has participated in Formula One since the beginning and Shell has always supported motor racing, so this is in the DNA of both companies. Oil and fuel are two liquids that seem not so important but if you go deeper, you need somebody who understands, somebody who is in Formula One for many, many years. We trust the engineers of Shell and I feel the same from the other side.” “We are delighted that Shell will continue as technical partner to Ferrari for a further five years,” said Mark Williams, Shell Downstream Director. “It’s great to share this news about our next chapter together, especially when we are celebrating a significant milestone in our ongoing relationship. Shell’s technical partnership with Ferrari will continue to provide the world’s most demanding test bed for new fuels and lubricants, and we will continue to take what we learn with Ferrari on the track to Shell products for the road.” Donald Anderson, Country Head of Lubricants, Shell India, added “Shell’s technical partnership with Scuderia Ferrari over 60 years has been one of the most enduring relationships in motorsport. It is a true reflection of our advanced expertise in designing products for superior performance and efficiency. We are optimistic that the learnings taken from our technical partnership with Ferrari will further strengthen our efforts towards becoming the technical partner of choice for car manufacturers in India.”