As the 2026 Formula 1® World Championship kicks off this weekend in Melbourne, Australia, bp has announced its role as the official technology partner of the Audi Revolut F1® Team, aiming to push innovations that enhance race performance. This collaboration focuses on developing next-generation fuel and hybrid power units to meet new sustainability standards set by the FIA.
Joint Development of Advanced Sustainable Racing Fuel
The partnership unites bp’s and Audi Revolut F1® Team’s technical experts to co-create a high-performance fuel tailored for the 2026 FIA regulations. After an extensive development phase focused on compliance and performance, bp Ultimate Racing fuel achieved formal certification from the sport’s governing body. Over three years, the teams formulated more than 400 fuel variants, testing over 200 blends within Audi’s power unit at its Neuburg, Germany facility. These efforts produced nearly 250,000 litres of test fuel, demonstrating a rigorous and data-driven approach to achieving the precise fuel composition required.
Real-Time Data Support Throughout the Racing Season
In addition to laboratory development, bp will maintain a trackside lab at every race, providing instant diagnostics and feeding crucial performance insights back into the ongoing research cycle. This integration allows for continuous refinement of the fuel during the competitive season, ensuring that Audi Revolut F1® Team engines operate at optimal levels under evolving conditions.
Technical Leaders Highlight Fuel Innovation Challenges and Progress
Luc Jolly, bp’s motorsport fluids technology lead, emphasized the critical role that fuel plays in Formula 1 performance and the complexity added by new regulatory demands.
“Fuel has always been a critical performance factor in Formula 1®, and this season’s regulatory changes bring an enhanced technology challenge. Now raw materials, production and advanced fuel chemistry are all key to meet the new requirements for advanced sustainable fuel*,”
said Jolly. He added that bp has devoted significant effort to refining the fuel blend to maximize synergy with combustion systems, optimizing both performance and efficiency.
Nicola Buck, bp’s senior vice president for marketing, addressed the close collaboration between bp and Audi Revolut F1® Team engineers.
“Our partnership with the Audi Revolut F1® Team is built on a shared ambition for the future of motorsport. We have been deeply integrated with their engineers, meticulously analysing test data and experimenting with countless blends to find the bp Ultimate Racing fuel formula. The Audi Revolut F1® Team know that they can depend on our technologists to deliver what matters, because they’re part of the very same team responsible for developing the bp Ultimate road fuel for drivers around the world.**”
Integrated Engineering Collaboration and Continuous Refinement
Mattia Binotto, Head of the Audi F1 Project, described the partnership as essential for success under 2026 regulations.
“bp are fully integrated into our engineering and power unit programmes as our official technology partner, co-developing fuel through rigorous data analysis and continuous refinement. With bp embedded at every race, this partnership goes far beyond a conventional collaboration and is fundamental to competing under the 2026 regulations,”
Binotto explained.
Driver Perspective on Fuel Partnership
Nico Hulkenberg, Audi Revolut F1 Team driver, highlighted the importance of fuel performance under the new hybrid rules. He stated,
“Working with bp as our technology partner is a crucial part of our overall package. Fuel performance and efficiency remain key areas of focus, especially under the new hybrid regulations. We are looking forward to a long and hopefully successful journey together.”
The Role of Audi Revolut F1 Team Facilities and Locations
The Audi Revolut F1® Team operates across three strategic locations. The power unit development takes place at Audi Formula Racing GmbH in Neuburg an der Donau, Germany. The race car design and operational planning occur at the Hinwil site in Switzerland. Additionally, the Audi Motorsport Technology Centre in Bicester, UK, situated within the famed “Motorsport Valley,” allows direct access to elite Formula 1 talent and partners vital to the project’s success. These three centers collectively drive Audi’s premier-class motorsport ambitions for 2026 and beyond.
Meeting FIA Advanced Sustainable Fuel Mandates
The FIA requires the use of fuels derived from advanced sustainable components starting in 2026 to promote environmental responsibility within Formula 1. bp Ultimate Racing fuel fulfills the FIA’s standards for advanced sustainable fuels, ensuring compliance while delivering competitive performance. It is important to note that bp Ultimate Racing fuel developed exclusively for the Audi Revolut F1® Team has a unique formulation and is not available for retail purchase or interchangeable with bp Ultimate road fuels.
Anticipated Impact and Future Prospects
This partnership signifies a transformative step in sustainable motorsport, demonstrating how cutting-edge fuel technology integrates with hybrid power units to push racing performance to new levels. By pioneering advanced sustainable fuels on the world stage, bp and Audi Revolut F1® Team aim to influence broader adoption of cleaner energy solutions both on the track and in everyday driving. As the season progresses, the continuous data-driven collaboration between engineers and fuel experts is expected to yield further refinements, opening the path for enhanced efficiency and competitive strength under evolving regulations.
