McLaren unsure of fuel supplier for 2019

  • Published on 16 Feb 2019 12:10
  • comments 4
  • By: Fergal Walsh

McLaren is uncertain if its planned switch to Petrobras fuel and lubricants will be able to start on time for the 2019 Formula 1 season.

Early on last year, the team signed a deal with Petrobras for the 2019 season, but continued to use BP/Castrol products while featuring sponsor logos from Petrobras on the MCL33.

The team was looking to switch over to Petrobras entirely for 2019, however reports in Brazil say that the government is looking to trim state-funded F1 investments - Petrobras being one of the companies impacted.

Speaking about the situation, McLaren's sporting director Gil de Ferran said: "I think we are still working on the development together with Petrobras. It would be difficult to put a timescale on it right now."

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • It might be more prudent to stick to BP regardless. I don't know how much Red Bull were affected by using Exxon-Mobil's products instead of BP, but the possibility that it affected them negatively (or positively) can't be excluded. Let Petrobras be the sponsor. while BP does the work.

    • + 0
    • Feb 16 2019 - 12:54
    • After that whole issue with Red Bull and Exxon last year I don't understand why McLaren is considering it. Only one reason makes sense and it's money. They probably would get a good deal from Petronas. That being said, it could easily be that Renault was trolling Red Bull last year and the gasoline was just fine. I don't recall this being a problem in years past

      • + 0
      • Feb 16 2019 - 18:39
    • Only money makes sense, and the answer is only money, honey. Generally speaking, Exxon Mobil is top of the crop when it comes to making motorsport fuel and lube, so it wouldn't surprise me if it was just as good as BP's stuff. And Renault has been known to bullshit quite a bit with such things before, so wouldn't surprise me if this was A bit e' boullshit. However, I don't think we can exclude the possibility that RB were harmed by not running BP.

      • + 0
      • Feb 16 2019 - 18:54
  • f1ski

    Posts: 726

    if RBR didn't get reliability and performance because they didn't use the same fuel as Renault how is mclaren going to do with no known fuel supplier

    • + 0
    • Feb 17 2019 - 23:33

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country United States of America
  • Date of b. May 5 1932 (91)
  • Place of b. New York City, New York, U.S., United States of America
  • Weight 0 kg
  • Length 0 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar