The Aston Martin Formula 1 team has announced a major new partnership with Aramco.
As well as taking joint title sponsorship at Aston Martin alongside existing backer Cognizant, the Saudi Arabian oil company will work with Aston on “the development of highly efficient internal combustion engines, high-performance sustainable fuels, advanced lubricants and the deployment of non-metallic materials in vehicles” according to the statement announcing the deal.
Joint R&D projects will focus on F1’s move towards 100% sustainable fuels by 2025 and “development and commercialisation of fuel-efficient engine technologies for road vehicles, and the development of more efficient hybrid engines in motorsport”.
“We are in the sport to win so I am delighted to welcome an incredible partner of the stature of Aramco, who I have learnt from this process has a tremendous amount of intellectual property and technical capability, which I know will greatly assist our team to achieve our goals of winning Formula 1 world championships,” said team chairman Lawrence Stroll.
“Our historic partnership demonstrates the scale of our ambition to make our team a pioneering and winning force in Formula 1 and showcase the sustainability and performance of Aramco’s products.”
Mohammed Al Qahtani, Aramco’s senior vice president downstream added: “The partnership reflects Aramco’s efforts to reduce emissions in the global automotive and transport industries.
“Our ambition is to supply premium fuels and lubricants to the global automotive sector, and our tie-up with the Aston Martin team will help drive awareness of our high-quality products.”
Though the former Racing Point team had a disappointing first season in its Aston Martin incarnation last year, dropping to seventh in the constructors’ championship, it has embarked on an aggressive expansion and recruitment plan as it endeavours to become a championship contender.
Construction of a new factory – at an estimated cost of between £150million and £200million – has begun, and the team staff total could rise as high as 800. High-profile signings include former chief aerodynamicist Eric Blandin and ex-Red Bull head of aerodynamics Dan Fallows, as well as long-time McLaren chief Martin Whitmarsh. Former BMW Motorsport chief Mike Krack has recently replaced Otmar Szafnauer as team boss.
