Audi joins forces with BP, Castrol for 2026

The pieces continue to fall in place for Audi and its Formula One project for 2026.

The German automaker has secured a technical partnership with BP. The British petrochemical giant will supply Audi with 100% sustainable fuel as per the 2026 F1 regulations, and will also provide its range of oil and lubricants through its Castrol brand.

Audi has previously run with BP and Castrol branding throughout its motorsport activities in DTM, as well as in the WRC during the Group B era and in its successful run in the Le Mans 24 Hours with the Audi R18.

For its current Formula One project, Audi has revealed BP has already been supplying fuel throughout the development of its V6 turbo hybrid powertrain, as well as oils and liquids for thermal management purposes in the hybrid components.

"There will be strong competition in the field of sustainable fuels in Formula 1 from 2026. In view of the high-performance potential, it was important for us to start our fuel testing at the end of 2022 with BP as our partner." said Adam Baker, CEO of Audi Formula Racing – the company which oversees the engine development.

"The combustion process is highly complex and can only be optimized by developing the engine in combination with the fuel properties. That’s why at Audi Formula Racing, where we are well advanced with Audi’s F1 power unit development, we use all three single-cylinder test benches allowed by the FIA regulations intensively for fuel development. It is impressive how many different fuel variants we have developed to date as we prepare for our 2026 race season. I am convinced that we are perfectly positioned with BP and Castrol.” Baker added.