Mercedes extend PETRONAS partnership

German Formula One team Mercedes have announced a renewal of their Title and Technical partnership with progressive energy group PETRONAS from the 2026 season onwards. 

The extension of the partnership is based around both groups’ common goal of commitment to a more sustainable future. The partnership will be taking on the different challenges the 2026 season will throw at the team, with the new power unit regulations set to be introduced from said season.

PETRONAS already provides Mercedes and their customer teams with sustainable E10 fuels, which comprises 10% second-generation non-food based ethanol E10, which is known for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. PETRONAS will also work with Mercedes towards shifting to a carbon-neutral future.

Also read: Formula One 2022 Team Sponsors: Mercedes

Toto Wolff, CEO and Team Principal, Mercedes AMG Formula One team, commented:

“Today we are doing something a little bit unusual – announcing a partnership that will begin in four years’ time. This sends an important message: our team and PETRONAS are no longer just partners, we are family, and we will be one team for many more years to come.

“From 2026, advanced sustainable fuel will be at the heart of F1 performance – and this gives us a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate our expertise in this domain, through both the power unit and PETRONAS Fluid Technology Solutions™. We are excited to be racing into the future alongside PETRONAS, with the ambition to set the standard once again, in our on-track performance and by pioneering the transition of a global sports team to a net-zero future.“

Datuk Tengku Muhammad Taufik, PETRONAS President and Group Chief Executive Officer, added:

“What you are witnessing today bears testimony to the shared conviction of both PETRONAS and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team:  that the synergy and shared ambition of both parties will deliver a pathway to responsibly provide the sports and our customers with energy that is cleaner and more sustainable. 

“Given the accumulated experience as a team over the last decade, and the technical capabilities and expertise sourced from our combined talents, PETRONAS looks forward to charting the next chapter with a focus on advanced sustainable fuel for Mercedes and its customer teams. Together with our partners, PETRONAS will keep pushing boundaries with our Fluid Technology Solutions™ through innovative offerings. At the heart of our efforts will be sustainability – as we all progress towards a lower-carbon future.“

Datuk Sazali Hamzah, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of PETRONAS Downstream, said:

“With our longstanding partnership and extensive experience in formulating the Fluid Technology Solutions™ for the team, PETRONAS is fully equipped with the capacity and capabilities to perfect the technology to produce and supply 100% advanced sustainable fuel for the next-generation power units.

“In that same vein, we are already on track with developing a greenfield biorefinery and co-processing at our facilities to supply sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a cleaner and more viable option for aircrafts in our effort to support the aviation industry needs.“

Richard Sanders,  Commercial Director, Mercedes AMG Formula One team, stated:

“PETRONAS is an important part of our heritage and history, and we’re delighted that they will continue as our Title and Technical partner long into the future.

“The partnership with PETRONAS will now span two decades and we look forward to making this the most enduring and successful sponsorship in elite global sport.“

PETRONAS first teamed up with Mercedes back in 2010, and over the last 13 years, the two have enjoyed unprecedented success by clinching eight Constructors’ Championships and 115 Grand Prix victories.