New fuel from Shell powers MS to title win
By Greig Murray
July 21 2002
A new fuel from Shell has helped power Michael Schumacher to his fifth Grand Prix Drivers’ Championship this week-end, ensuring the continued dominance of the Ferrari team.
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The fuel, which was designed and developed through the close relationship between the Shell and Ferrari engineers has played a vital role in the team’s race strategy and ultimately its Championship success.. With an unassailable lead over his nearest rival, Michael Schumacher has won the Formula One Drivers’ World Championship with six races to go. “Shell has again provided us with a fuel that gives the cars that little bit extra we are always looking for” said the World Champion. “So far this season, the car has been extremely responsive and much credit for this must go to the Ferrari and Shell engineers who have produced an engine and fuel system that work perfectly together.”
The fuel gave Schumacher an improved fuel efficiency that allowed the car to run lighter, faster and enabled the Ferrari team to maximise Schumacher’s pit stops throughout the season. With the Ferrari team always looking for that extra edge over their competitors, Ferrari’s team principal, Jean Todt said: “Shell’s new fuel performed exactly as we had expected it to from our tests. Combined with the excellent tyre performance, the extra efficiency this fuel provides gave us a larger pit-stop window, which is a significant advantage when planning pit-stop and race strategies. Ultimately there is no doubt it has helped Michael to the title.”
The success of the team is due in part to the strength of its partnerships, with Ferrari only ever working with partners who are at the very top of their field. In Shell they have a dedicated fuel and oil development team who consistently exceed the demands placed upon them, constantly helping to give Ferrari the edge over their rivals.
Talking about the relationship between Shell and Ferrari, technical director Ross Brawn, said, “Shell has total access to our engine, our transmission and any part of the car they are involved in. They have total access to our designs and they work with our designers to find the best solutions.”
Ferrari is not the only winner from Shell’s development programme. The same engineers who design and develop fuel and oil for the Formula One team also design and develop road fuels, ensuring that lessons Shell learn from Formula One can benefit motorists filling up on Shell forecourts all over the world.
Essentially, the fuels developed by Shell and used by millions of motorists across the planet have been tested by World Champion Michael Schumacher and the Ferrari Formula One team.
With the Shell and Ferrari engineers working so closely together, the partnership can only improve, resulting in ever improving fuels to power the Ferraris of Schumacher and Barrichello along with the cars of motorists all over the world.
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