By Christie U. Omonigho
From Abu Dhabi, UAE comes a report that Shell and BMW M Motorsport have signed the renewal of their “dynamic and longstanding partnership,” bringing collaboration across energy, innovation, and premium technology. The signing sees Shell continuing to support BMW M Motorsport’s factory racing program such as “World Endurance Championship and International Motor Sports Association.” Shell and BMW M Motorsport will also in addition continue to collaborate on GT3 racing activities with highlights like the Deutsche Touringwagen Meisterschaft (German Touring Car Championship) race series, and the famous Macau Grand Prix.
The decade-long partnership renews across main race series, with Shell Brands International AG becoming the energy partner for BMW M Motorsport.
Shell according to an email statement to Energy Window International, will become the energy partner of BMW M Motorsport, with the automotive company exclusively recommending “Shell’s top global product brands” – Shell V-Power, Shell Helix, and Shell EV Plus – reinforcing the partners’ shared commitment to innovation in the energy sector.
The Dutch Oil Major the statement says will become the official partner of BMW M Trackdays, the iconic annual festival for BMW M car enthusiasts, taking place at the famous Nürburgring racetrack in Germany. Customers will get the exciting opportunity to experience “Shell’s performance fuels” in their own BMW M cars, and could have the opportunity to test drive the latest models around the track.
Building on the partners’ commitment to innovation and technology leadership is a plan, according to BMW M Motorsport, to further collaborate in R&D to explore new opportunities, which could include more sustainable lubricants, bespoke E-Fluids for electric cars, and innovative fuels & energy concepts for motorsports-related projects.
The partnership renewal Shell maintains comes as a result of a decade of Shell’s “commitment to delivering superior results for BMW M Motorsport, driving excellence and helping to fuel the future of racing.” Adding that premium products such as Shell Helix Ultra engine oils, developed and tested for BMW M Motorsport, has helped to ensure maximum performance of BMW race cars. “This renewal will extend the strong technical collaboration, which has and will continue to be crucial in enabling a robust track to road performance philosophy,” statement said.
Aysun Akik, Vice President of New Business Development and Global Key Accounts, Shell Lubricants, said, “This announcement marks an exciting milestone in our unwavering partnership with BMW M Motorsport. Over the last decade, we have been pushing the boundaries together, pursuing excellence, delivering value, and ultimately celebrating successes in major race series all over the world. As the No.1 lubricants supplier for the past 18 years1, Shell will continue to deliver quality solutions and together with BMW M Motorsports, help bring the pleasure of driving to customers globally.”
Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH, said, “Without strong partners like Shell, engagements by BMW M in series production and BMW M Motorsport in racing are unthinkable. The fact that we can look back on ten years of collaboration is extraordinary – and I am very pleased that we are now reaching the next level together. In addition to close collaboration within our current racing programmes, the development of new future technologies in both the racing and series production sectors is crucial. As mobility and thus the entire automotive industry are changing rapidly, it requires partners who share our pursuit of innovation and perfection. This is absolutely the case with Shell.
“Striving for success in motor sport,” talking about BMW M Motorsport, “is intrinsic to the DNA of BMW M. The world of motor sports is an exciting one, characterized by pure action, pulsing adrenaline, and unconditional passion. The BMW M Motorsport racing program and numerous outings in worldwide motorsport teams around the BMW M Hybrid V8, the BMW M4 GT3 EVO, and the BMW M4 GT4 EVO embody the essence of BMW M: maximum dynamics and the highest level of engineering from Munich. Every day, here in the home of BMW M Motorsport, the engineers work on the continuation of that success story. With the new entry-level model BMW M2 Racing, the next generation is already on the line.”