Luke Smith

Red Bull Racing has announced the arrival of fuel and lubricants giant ExxonMobil as a team partner from the 2017 Formula 1 season.

ExxonMobil has been a long-standing partner of British marque McLaren, enjoying a relationship dating back over 20 years, but will now jump ship for 2017 and team up with Red Bull.

“As a team partner, official fuel partner, official lubricant partner, and official motor oil partner of the team in 2017, ExxonMobil will provide Red Bull Racing with leading-edge Mobil 1 lubricants and Synergy Race Fuels,” a statement from Red Bull reads.

“ExxonMobil will deliver engineering support to develop next-generation lubricants designed to improve race car engine and gearbox performance.

“The company’s Mobil 1 and Esso brands will feature on our cars, driver overalls and helmets, as well as being displayed at the Red Bull Racing Factory in Milton Keynes, and at trackside events.”

“Mobil 1 and Red Bull Racing are two global brands that share a passion for racing, performance and innovation,” Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner said.

“Mobil 1 has been an iconic brand in Formula One for more than 30 years and our new partnership provides us with a unique opportunity to tap into ExxonMobil’s world class expertise.”

Horner paid tribute to outgoing fuel partner TOTAL, whom Red Bull has worked with since the 2008 F1 season.

“I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to the technical team at TOTAL, who have made a valuable contribution to our success in Formula 1 during our partnership,” Horner said