The start of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship marks a significant milestone for bp as it begins its role as the official technology partner of the Audi Revolut F1 Team. The collaboration will see bp support the team with advanced fuel technology as the new season opens in Melbourne this weekend.
The partnership brings together engineers and technologists from bp and Audi to jointly develop fuel solutions designed for the sport’s next-generation hybrid power units. Working closely with the Audi engineering team, bp has created a high-performance racing fuel formulated to meet the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile’s (FIA) strict 2026 requirements for advanced sustainable fuels.
After an extensive development programme, bp Ultimate Racing fuel has received official certification from Formula 1’s governing body. The development process involved years of laboratory research, engine testing and data analysis aimed at achieving the optimal balance between power output, efficiency and sustainability.
Engineers produced more than 400 experimental fuel samples during the programme, testing over 200 blend variations within the Audi Revolut F1 Team power unit. Nearly 250,000 litres of experimental fuel were delivered to Audi’s development facility in Neuburg, Germany to support the testing and validation phase.
At race events throughout the season, bp specialists will operate a trackside laboratory to analyse fuel performance in real time. Data gathered during each race weekend will feed directly into ongoing development, allowing engineers to continuously refine fuel performance under competitive conditions.
Luc Jolly, motorsport fluids technology lead at bp, said the new regulations present a unique technical challenge for fuel engineers. He noted that the role of fuel chemistry, production processes and raw material selection has become increasingly important as Formula 1 moves toward more sustainable energy sources.
According to Mr Jolly, bp spent the past three years refining the fuel formulation so it performs seamlessly with the Audi hybrid power unit’s combustion system, delivering both performance and efficiency.
Nicola Buck, senior vice president for marketing at bp, highlighted the close collaboration between the two organisations. She explained that bp engineers have worked directly alongside Audi’s development teams, analysing performance data and experimenting with multiple fuel blends to reach the final racing formulation.
Mattia Binotto, head of the Audi F1 project, described bp as a deeply integrated partner in the team’s engineering programme. He said the fuel development effort is a key element of Audi’s strategy as the sport enters a new regulatory era.
Audi Revolut F1 Team driver Nico Hülkenberg also welcomed the partnership, emphasising the importance of fuel performance and efficiency under the new hybrid regulations. To celebrate the start of the season, bp has released a short film highlighting the technology and teamwork behind the partnership, featuring Hülkenberg and the engineering teams supporting the programme.
BP, formerly known as British Petroleum, is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, with operations spanning oil and gas exploration, production, refining, trading and marketing. Headquartered in London, BP operates in numerous countries and plays a significant role in meeting global energy demand.
In recent years, the company has expanded its focus beyond traditional hydrocarbons, increasing investments in renewable energy, biofuels, electric vehicle charging and low-carbon technologies as part of its transition strategy. Through a combination of conventional energy assets and growing interests in cleaner energy solutions, BP aims to balance energy security, affordability and sustainability while navigating the evolving global energy landscape.
