Ferrari, Mercedes, and Audi: How fuel partnerships will define the 2026 F1 era
Fuel will be one of the key performance factors for the 2026 Formula 1 season. Ferrari has confirmed its partnership with Shell, but what about the rest of the grid? Here is a complete overview of all team–supplier pairings and fuel providers for the upcoming season.
In a 2026 season packed with major changes, the difference is expected to be made by the smallest details. Among these is fuel selection, with various suppliers ready to compete fiercely in search of the best possible performance. Different fuel solutions can lead to noticeable differences in power output, depending on the characteristics of each power unit and the overall integration with the car.
Fuel suppliers for the 2026 F1 season
So who are the fuel suppliers for the 2026 season? The eleven teams on the grid, including newcomer Cadillac, will use six different types of fuel, depending not only on their chosen power unit but also on specific technical partnerships. Alongside Shell and Petronas, which will work with Ferrari and Mercedes respectively, Exxon Mobil, Aramco, and Castrol will also play major roles.
The fuel supplier breakdown for the 2026 Formula 1 grid is as follows:
Petronas: Mercedes, Williams, McLaren, AlpineShell: Ferrari, Haas, CadillacExxon Mobil: Red Bull, Racing BullsAramco: Aston MartinCastrol: AudiOil suppliers: a slightly different picture
The situation is slightly different when it comes to engine oils, where some teams work with suppliers that differ from their fuel partners.
Aston Martin: ValvolineMcLaren: Petronas & MotulWilliams: PetronasAlpine: PetronasMercedes: PetronasFerrari: ShellCadillac: ShellHaas: ShellRed Bull: MobilRacing Bulls: MobilAudi: Castrol
Fuel and oil suppliers will, of course, work in very close cooperation to identify the most effective combination capable of extracting maximum performance from each car. All of this will take place while strictly respecting the sustainability requirements imposed by the FIA, which remain a central pillar of the 2026 Formula 1 regulations.
With the 2026 regulations pushing engine manufacturers to their limits, the “fuel war” between the likes of Shell, Petronas, and Aramco will be just as intense as the battle on the track. As teams like Alpine transition to Mercedes power and Cadillac joins the Ferrari family, the synergy between fuel and hardware has never been more critical for championship success.
Jan 7, 2026Sofia Bianchi
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