Shell will return to Le Mans and International sports car racing this season, after signing a deal to become the official fuel supplier for the Automobile Club de l’Ouest.
The deal, which will see Shell supply V-Power unleaded and diesel fuel to the FIA World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series, will also see Shell bring its Trackside Laboratory facility to selected European races, which will allow teams and officials from the FIA and ACO to access live data, as well as analysis of all fuel and lubricant usage throughout the course of each race.
“This is an announcement that goes back to the heart of Shell’s history in motorsport, and we are delighted to enter into this new three-year partnership as fuel partner to the FIA World Endurance Championship and European le Mans Series,” said Richard Karlstetter, Racing Fuels Technology Manager for Shell.
“For more than 90 years of endurance racing history there has been a clear benefit to Shell customers from ongoing innovation and development of our fuel technology in such a rigorously demanding environment, alongside motor manufacturers of vision.
“The exciting technical challenge of today’s WEC means that the teams can benefit from Shell’s unrivalled research and development capabilities to support the series.”
Fréderic Lénart, CEO of the ACO, commented on the deal saying: “It is very important for the Le Mans 24 Hours as the pinnacle of endurance racing worldwide, and also for the FIA World Endurance Championship to benefit from the backing of Shell as the Official Fuel Partner.
“With the arrival of new major manufacturers from the motor car industry in this branch of the sport and the introduction of demanding technical regulations, to be in a position to take advantage of products of the highest possible quality is vital.
“The partnership between the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and Shell helps to make a significant contribution to moving forward the current issues linked to future mobility.”
