Official: Renault Sport signs up BP and Castrol
The Renault team is ending its partnership with Total and moving into the BP/Castrol fold. The oil company will supply the team with fuel and lubricants.

Renault and BP have formalized a fuel and lubricant supply partnership for a duration of 5 years. This marks the end of the association between the French company and Total.
This partnership is essential as fuel plays a very significant role in the performance and power of the current generation engines. The efficiency of the Mercedes Petronas partnership is a perfect example, with the German engine requiring less fuel than its competitors to deliver its maximum power.
The return of BP and Castrol, names with such a heritage in motorsport, is excellent news and opens new opportunities for our Formula 1 team. BP’s commitment underscores the ongoing appeal of F1 in the eyes of large multinationals. We are very proud and motivated to have a technical partner and sponsor of this caliber declares Jérôme Stoll, president of Renault Sport Racing.
The development of advanced technologies for fuels and lubricants is a key priority for BP. This partnership creates exciting opportunities for the Renault and BP teams, who will work together to further develop these advanced technologies in the highly competitive world of Formula 1, adds Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO of BP Downstream.
« With the new aerodynamic regulations in force for the 2017 F1 season, engine demands will increase. Consequently, fuels and lubricants will have an even greater influence on the overall performance of the car than they did since the introduction of the new types of power units in 2014. The teams at BP and Castrol are very enthusiastic and motivated by the challenges offered by Formula 1, and we are certain that they will help us achieve our goals in 2017 and beyond. » states Cyril Abiteboul, Managing Director of Renault Sport Racing.
« At Castrol and everyone within BP, we are proud to share the vision of making Renault the best Formula 1 team. Joining the team at this stage allows us to work together on innovative solutions to build new successes. » concluded Mandhir Singh, Chief Operating Officer of BP Lubricants.
The last collaboration between the two companies dates back to the 1997 season. That year, Williams-Renault won the Constructors’ and Drivers’ titles with Jacques Villeneuve.
Although it is not confirmed, it seems that the British company will also supply McLaren-Honda, which lost the support of ExxonMobil to the benefit of Red Bull and Toro Rosso.