As the 2026 Formula 1 regulation changes usher in a fresh chapter for the sport, Castrol has joined forces with the Audi Revolut F1® Team to develop specially tailored lubricants and electric vehicle (EV) fluids. These innovations are designed to maximize efficiency under stricter energy constraints and enhance the new hybrid power unit’s performance. Alongside Castrol, bp will supply a custom high-performance fuel meeting the upcoming regulations, underscoring a vital partnership supporting Audi’s entry into Formula 1’s evolving landscape.
Crafting a Bespoke Engine Oil for Maximum Power and Reliability
Castrol experts and Audi engineers have co-created a unique version of Castrol EDGE engine oil optimized for the Audi AFR 26 Hybrid power unit. This engine oil is precisely engineered to reduce internal friction, thereby enabling the team to extract more effective power from a fixed energy input. By balancing performance gains with robust durability, the oil helps protect engine components from wear during grueling race conditions, ensuring reliability throughout the entire event. Continuous, data-driven collaboration between the teams is central to refining this lubricant for top-tier performance on race day.
Key Insights from Leadership on the Partnership
Chris Lockett, Senior Vice President of Castrol Technology, emphasized the significance of the technological reset in F1:
This season’s engineering changes are huge, and completely reset the technology challenge. With electrification providing around half the power in the car, and much tighter energy supply constraints, engine oil is now an active performance component in an F1 car, a not-so-secret ingredient that could make a real difference to where teams finish this season. This is what our technical partnership with the Audi Revolut F1® Team is all about – enhancing efficiency and reliability of critical systems to deliver the best possible performance on the track.
Mattia Binotto, Head of the Audi Revolut F1® Team, highlighted the depth of collaboration:
Our technical partnership with Castrol goes much deeper than a conventional partnership. We have been working hand in hand since 2022, testing, analysing and refining together to develop bespoke fluids that perform in the toughest racing environments. But it goes beyond simply developing products: we will have a Castrol engineer with us at every race as part of our team, helping us prepare for races and debriefing on performance, playing an integral role in our F1 season.
Comprehensive Fluid Solutions Beyond Engine Oil
Beyond engine oil, Castrol is supplying a complete fluid management strategy encompassing critical elements such as gearbox oil, hydraulic fluid, and energy recovery system (ERS) fluid. This holistic approach aims to safeguard high-performance hardware and maintain peak functionality under the demanding conditions encountered in Formula 1 racing. In addition to the race cars, the Audi F1 facility in Hinwil benefits from Castrol’s advanced metalworking fluids integrated with SmartCoolant automation technology, supporting precision and consistency in chassis manufacturing processes.
Legacy of Innovation and Motorsport Excellence
Castrol’s involvement in Audi’s motorsport efforts spans over four decades, rooted in a shared commitment to pushing technological boundaries in extreme environments. Michelle Jou, CEO at Castrol, reflected on this enduring relationship:
Castrol and Audi have a history built on winning and developing technology that can perform in the most extreme racing environments – the toughest testing grounds for technology that ultimately make it into millions of vehicles across the world. We have worked with Audi through many of their engineering breakthroughs, partnering on innovations like quattro in the 1980s, increasing hybridisation in the 2010s with the Audi e-tron quattro, electrification in Formula E in 2021, and now we are carrying forward our shared innovation-first mindset into the new era of F1®.
Impact and Outlook for the 2026 Championship
The bespoke Castrol EDGE engine oil and fluid systems offer the Audi Revolut F1® Team a critical competitive edge as Formula 1 enters an era defined by hybrid powertrains and energy efficiency. By improving efficiency while ensuring reliability, these advancements may influence race outcomes, potentially making Audi a formidable contender in its debut Formula 1 season. As both Audi and Castrol continue refining their technologies through real-time data and race feedback, this collaboration exemplifies how cutting-edge engineering and teamwork can drive success on the world’s most demanding motorsport stage.
