ExxonMobil join Red Bull from McLaren for next season
Friday 2 December 2016 14:10, UK
Long-time McLaren partner ExxonMobil have joined Red Bull to be the former world champions' fuel and oil supplier.
In an expected tie-up, Red Bull will use the American firm's race fuels and lubricants from the 2017 season with the oil giant's Mobil 1 and Esso brands to appear on the team's RB13 car and drivers' overalls.
Fuel performance has become an increasingly important battle ground for teams in the hybrid engine era.
"Mobil 1 and Red Bull Racing are two global brands that share a passion for racing, performance and innovation," said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
"Mobil 1 has been an iconic brand in Formula 1 for more than 30 years and our new partnership provides us with a unique opportunity to tap into ExxonMobil's world class expertise."
McLaren had been powered by ExxonMobil fuels since 1995, while Red Bull have used Total products.
ExxonMobil follow Tag Heuer in leaving McLaren for Red Bull in the last 12 months, the watchmaker having recently extended its naming rights deal for the team's Renault engine by a further two years.
McLaren will reportedly seal a deal with BP Castrol to become their new fuel supplier for 2017.
