French carmaker say new BP-Castrol tie-up will help them in push for world title over the next five years
Thursday 26 January 2017 15:23, UK
Formula 1's fuel battleground has produced another development after Renault signed a new deal with BP and Castrol for 2017.
In a tie-up which the French manufacturer team say will aid the team's "ambition to fight for the World Championship in the next five years", the British brands will become Renault's new fuel and lubricant supplier, replacing Total.
"With the new aerodynamic regulations for the 2017 Formula 1 season, power sensitivity will increase," said Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul.
"Therefore fuels and lubricants will make an even greater difference to the overall performance of the car than they have since the new power unit regulations have been introduced in 2014.
"The teams at BP and Castrol are very excited by the challenges offered by Formula 1 and we are confident they will help us achieve our ambitions for our new car in 2017 and beyond."
Renault and BP last worked together when the French firm supplied engines to Williams in 1997, the year Jacques Villeneuve won the world title.
Renault's switch to BP-Castrol is the second big fuel change of the winter after Red Bull, who are supplied by the French manufacturer's engines, lured ExxonMobil from McLaren. The Woking team are also expected to seal a tie-up with BP-Castrol for 2017.
