McLaren-Honda switch to BP and Castrol fuel

It was announced earlier today that the McLaren-Honda team has confirmed their anticipated switch to using BP and Castrol fuel and lubricants for 2017.

McLaren has been without a supplier since ExxonMobil ended their 21 year partnership with the team last December to supply Red Bull. The team had been expected to confirm a BP-Castrol partnership over the last few weeks and it was made official today.

BP-Castrol will supply two teams on the grid this year, having already confirmed a partnership with Renault.

In a statement to the media today, McLaren Technology Group CEO Jonathan Neale said the following:-

“This agreement between McLaren, BP and Castrol is between brands who both share a long-standing and well-recognised passion for innovation in all we do. Our McLaren-Honda team provides a global platform for Castrol to supply bespoke advanced lubricant technology.”

BP-Castrol will also supply lubricants and oil to McLaren’s automotive brand.

McLaren Automotive’s CEO Mike Flewitt added the following today in a statement:- “The partnership between McLaren Automotive and Castrol is an important step in our journey to deliver the highest levels of performance and efficiency from the engines in our Sports and Super car ranges. Not only will the lubricants provided by Castrol play a wide-ranging role in delivering the efficiencies across our existing cars, but our future engine generations as well.”

With F1’s current generation of V6 turbo engines, fuel efficiency is key to unlocking more power, therefore making a close partnership between supplier and engine manufacturer essential for success.

Mercedes’ close partnership with Petronas in the three years since the introduction of the new engines has helped it dominant the sport in the V6 era.

Sarah Jones- @jonesy_laaa