Shell has
announced a 5 year innovation partnership deal with Scuderia Ferrari, the
iconic Italian Formula 1 team. The agreement will let the pair work together
closer than they have worked ever before, not only in Formula 1, but across a
number of different projects. Shell is set to provide fuel and lubricants to
Ferrari GT teams entering the FIA World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans
24 Hours.
Shell made
the announcement ahead of the Formula 1 Gran Premio D’italia 2015 to extend a
partnership that dates back to the 1930s.
The Shell
V-Power race fuel and the Shell Helix Ultra bespoke motor oil will be supplied
to the F1 team as a part of the package and has committed 21,000 man hours and
50 full time technical staff to the innovation partnership every year. Shell
will have a permanent technical staff present at Ferrari’s Maranello
headquarters as well.
Shell’s
downstream Director, John Abbott said “Shell’s goal is to help power Scuderia
Ferrari to an 11th Constructors’ Championship title in partnership with Shell.
Of course, fuels and motor oil are just two of the many parts that need to come
together for a Formula 1 car to cross the finish line first. As our
relationship with the most successful team in Formula 1 evolves, we are
determined to help bring success to the Scuderia, and develop even better fuels
and lubricants for our millions of customers.”
Ferrari Team
Principal Maurizio Arrivabene also hailed the new agreement, saying: “The signing
of this contract is another step forward on the path to stability, and we are
delighted to work with Shell on an extended basis.
"Historically
the engine is at the very core of Ferrari, which means that everything we do
with Shell is working around our heritage as an engine constructor. Already
this season the work that Shell has done has contributed to our wins in
Malaysia and Hungary, which is proof of not only a professional commitment, but
is also the result of a great partnership as well."
In keeping with this agreement’s spirit of innovation, Ferrari will
also support Shell’s global Eco-marathon programme going forward, offering
members of the successful teams a four-week internship in Maranello.
Source: Shell