Petronas has supported Mercedes as title sponsor throughout Formula 1’s hybrid era, having joined forces in 2010. During that time, Petronas has helped Mercedes win a total of 15 drivers’ and constructors’ world championships.
His current deal ran through the end of 2025 , and the success of the partnership made it more than likely that he would renew.
But Mercedes has not wanted to waste any time and, as it moves forward with preparations for F1’s new engine regulations from 2026, when the championship switches to using fully sustainable fuels, it has ensured that the partnership with Petronas remains in place. in order to start working seriously with the new regulations.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff announced the new deal, which the team says is long-term, during a visit to Petronas headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
“Today we’re doing something a little unusual: we’re announcing a partnership that will start in four years’ time,” Wolff said.
“This sends an important message: our team and Petronas are no longer just partners, we are a family, and we will be one team for many years to come.”
The expansion of the partnership consolidates the joint push that Mercedes and Petronas are making towards a carbon neutral future for the team.
As well as F1 switching to a fully sustainable fuel, the Brackley-based outfit has set a target of net-zero emissions by 2030 .
After being the first F1 team to invest in sustainable aviation fuel, Petronas tested the Mercedes team’s trucks , which were powered by biofuel at the Belgian, Dutch and Italian Grands Prix.
The team revealed that the use of biofuels in their trucks reduced carbon emissions during those three weeks by 89% .
Petronas is confident that it will be able to offer a competitive and fully sustainable fuel for Mercedes’ F1 cars, as well as exploring other avenues to reduce carbon emissions in the coming years.
Datuk Sazali Hamzah , Executive Vice President and General Manager of Petronas, said, “With our long-standing collaboration and extensive experience in formulating fluid technology solutions for the team, Petronas is fully equipped with the capabilities and possibilities to refine the technology to produce and supply a 1000% sustainable fuel for next generation power units.
“In that same line, we are already underway with the development of a greenfield bio-refinery and co-processing at our facilities to supply sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a cleaner and more viable option for aircraft, in our effort for supporting the needs of the aviation industry.
“This is in line with the Carbon Reduction and Offsetting Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which is expected to come into force on a mandatory basis in 2027, as well as the International Automobile Federation’s (FIA) commitment to zero net emissions by 2030; both will affect the logistical operations of the F1 teams.”
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