Shell, which has been Scuderia Ferrari’s “Innovation Partner” for over 70 years, continues to power up Scuderia Ferrari on the track with Shell V-Power and Shell Helix Ultra, produced with PurePlus Technology. With this important cooperation that continues in the Formula 1 Grand Prix held in Istanbul after 9 years, the two brands have competed in 600 races and achieved 175 victories and 22 championships so far.
Shell, one of the largest energy companies in the world and the largest retail company under a single roof with 44,000 sales points, continues to strengthen its cooperation with Scuderia Ferrari that began in the first FIA Formula 1 ™ World Championship race in 1950. Strengthening its pioneering position in the sector day by day with the importance it attaches to innovation, Shell provides extra power to its partner Scuderia Ferrari on the track with the technological solutions it develops. As part of this long-standing partnership, Shell works with over 50 engineers and technical employees each year for more than 21,000 hours to optimize Ferrari’s fuel and lubricant performance. The two brands, which have competed in 600 races and acgieved 175 victories and 22 championships with this important cooperation, continue to work for new successes.
Emre Turanlı: “Our top priority is always to provide the highest quality fuel and oil”
Emre Turanlı, Shell & Turcas CEO, expressed that Shell is one of the companies that invest the most in innovation and technology in the world. “One of our most important partnerships that occurs when it comes to innovation is with Ferrari that continues for 70 years. Scuderia Ferrari is one of Formula 1’s iconic teams that won the most races, and we are proud to have contributed to Scuderia Ferrari’s victories through this 70-year collaboration. I have no doubt that this partnership, which continued in the Formula 1 Grand Prix that took place in Istanbul after 9 years and that we followed with excitement, will continue for many years and we will achieve many successes together,” he said.
Expressing that Shell and Ferrari are working together to optimize oil and fuel performance and that Shell scientists regularly conduct tests with the technical team of the Scuderia Ferrari, Emre Turanlı said: “Shell fuels are developed with the intense work of hundreds of scientists as well as the R&D investments of 1 billion dollars each year and tests covering millions of kilometers. The main goal of our investment in research and development in Formula 1 is to develop better fuels and lubricants for our guests by transferring innovations on the track to their daily journeys. Providing all our guests with the highest quality fuel and oil is always one of our top priorities. The formula of our Shell V-Power fuel offered at our stations today is 99 percent the same as the fuel of Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 vehicles. In addition, we offer our guests the products produced with new technologies in the field of lubricants. With Shell Helix engine oils produced from natural gas with PurePlus Technology, we help drivers to get high performance from their vehicles and extend the life of the engine.”
Turanlı underlined that they are the industry leader with their investments in R&D and innovation, and added: “We as Shell welcome more than 1 million consumers at our network of over 1000 stations across Turkey every day, and offer our high quality products and services. On the other hand, we contribute to the economy of our country with our export volume of more than 37 thousand tons in 2019 from our Shell Lubricant and Grease Manufacturing Plant in Derince, the only grease and the largest lubricant manufacturing plant in the Mediterranean. We care about contributing not only to Turkey’s economy but also its social development. Innovation is an area where we invest socially all over the world. While encouraging new generations to science, technology and engineering fields, we also increase their knowledge on energy technologies and alternative energy resources. With the world’s longest running student innovation competition “Shell Eco-Marathon” we make it possible for 1000 high school and university students in Turkey every year to manufacture more efficient vehicles using the energy resources of the future. Our Turkish teams are achieving extremely successful results, we are proud of them.”
Charles Leclerc: “Our cooperation with Shell is stronger than ever”
“Our Innovation Partnership with Shell is one of the most respected and long-standing partnerships in F1 history,” said Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 pilot. He added: “Shell V-Power fuel and Shell Helix Ultra engine oil produced with PurePlus Technology give us a lot on the race track in terms of both horsepower and reliability. Thanks to Shell V-Power and Shell Helix Ultra, we have increased the lap time performance gain of Scuderia Ferrari’s 2018 Power Unit to 21%. Our cooperation with Shell is stronger than ever. I look forward to continuing to work together with the goal of winning more races and championships in the next five years.”
Mattia Binotto, Scuderia Ferrari Technical Director, underlined the importance of the innovation partnership with Shell, and commented: “It is very valuable to have a partner like Shell by our side in continuously improving our team performance. Shell’s support with its technical experts is of key importance for our engine and power units. Shell has always been a great partner in innovation. Shell is one of our biggest supporters in 600 races, 175 victories and 22 championships to date. We’ve known each other and have been working together for a long time. I strongly believe that this cooperation will last for many years.”
Secret heroes on the trackside
Each season, at least two Shell scientists, tasked with providing technical support to Scuderia Ferrari throughout Formula 1, are available at all races in Shell’s trackside lab. Their job is to analyze fuel and oil to make sure that the fuel complies with the rules and to detect the wear marks of the engine in the oil.
They try to maximize the performance of Scuderia Ferrari by running about 40 fuel and 30 oil tests at each race. Although the improvements made in the laboratory seem small, their effects can even change the result of the race.
70 years of cooperation
The two companies form one of the largest partnerships in the 70-year Formula 1 racing history. But Shell’s relationship with Ferrari began long before that – even before the first car rolled off the Maranello production line. Shell’s innovation partnership with Scuderia Ferrari dates back to the time when Enzo Ferrari began competing for Alfa Romeo.
In 1929, Enzo Ferrari quit racing and formed his own racing team with Shell’s support. In 1947, Shell’s fuel and oil were used in the first car to bear the Ferrari name. Since then, Shell’s relationship with motorsports has expanded around the world to include multiple disciplines and partnerships with various automakers.
