Renault F1 partners with BP

Renault has announced it will use BP fuel and Castrol lubricants as part of a new partnership.

Having previously used Total, Renault has followed Red Bull in changing its fuel and oil supplier. Red Bull will work with ExxonMobil from this season – using its Mobil1 and Esso brands – and with the French manufacturer now partnering with BP for its works team, there will be two different fuel and oil suppliers for Renault power units in 2017.

Renault Sport Racing managing director Cyril Abiteboul says the introduction of new regulations will have a greater impact on power unit performance and therefore increases the importance of a successful partnership.

"With the new aerodynamic regulations for the 2017 Formula 1 season, power sensitivity will increase," Abiteboul said. "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 have been introduced in 2014.

"The teams at BP and Castrol are very excited by the challenges offered by Formula 1 and we are confident they will help us achieve our ambitions for our new car in 2017 and beyond."

Renault will use the BP Ultimate and Castrol EDGE brands, with the two companies having last worked together in 1997, when a Renault-powered Williams won both the drivers' and constructors' championships.

"The return of BP and Castrol, brands with such strong heritage in motorsport, is very good news and opens new opportunities for our Formula 1 team," said Jerome Stoll, president of Renault Sport Racing. "BP's commitment highlights the ongoing appeal of Formula 1 to major multinational companies. We are very proud and motivated to have a technical partner and sponsor of this calibre."

And BP Lubricants COO Mandhir Singh says the company was keen to be a part of Renault's rebuilding process in F1 from an early stage, with the team only returning as a constructor last season.

"The vision that Renault has to be the best team in Formula 1 is something we at Castrol, and across BP, are proud to be a part of," Singh said. "Joining the team at this point means we can work together on innovative solutions and be part of creating new success stories."

Having formerly partnered with ExxonMobil before the Red Bull deal was announced at the end of last year, McLaren is also expected to work with BP this season alongside power unit supplier Honda.