Audi announces first official partner ahead of F1 arrival

Audi has announced a strategic and technical partnership with bp, who will be the German team's fuel supplier for its 2026 F1 arrival. 

The German manufacturer is entering F1 in 2026 as a factory outfit for the introduction of the new power unit regulations. 

Bp becoming it's fuel supplier is Audi's latest step ahead of its debut, with an FIA-specified advanced sustainable fuel to be produced. 

It has also been announced by Audi that Castrol – bp's lubricant business – will produce lubricants for its V6 turbo engine and EV fluids for the electric motor and battery.

Audi and bp have a long history of working together in motorsport and have tasted success in a selection of categories, with Castrol products having been used in every victory the German outfit has claimed in all championships its competed in. 

“Audi and bp have always worked together successfully in motorsport," said Audi F1 CEO Andreas Seidl. "We are delighted that we can take this special partnership to the next level in Formula 1. 

"Audi stands for ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ and bp and Castrol also aspire to deliver the best technologies in the field of fuels and lubricants. This is a perfect match. 

"It is a strong signal for Audi’s future F1 factory team that we have been able to establish this partnership at such an early stage. We sense the appeal of the Audi F1 Project and how many renowned companies want to work with Audi in Formula 1.”

It is the first official partnership announced by Audi ahead of its 2026 factory outfit entry, which will takeover from Stake F1. 

“This partnership is of great importance to us," said Adam Baker, CEO Audi Formula Racing GmbH. "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. 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.”