BMW
Shell is the official Premium Technology, Innovation & Energy Partner of BMW M Motorsport - powering performance in endurance and touring car racing worldwide.
Enduring quality - Working in unison to extract maximum performance and efficiency
Since 2015, Shell and BMW M Motorsport have partnered at the cutting edge of global racing. In 2025, the collaboration enters an exciting new chapter 鈥� with Shell stepping into the role of official Premium Technology, Innovation, and Energy Partner.
This expanded partnership sees Shell鈥檚 products, including Shell Helix Ultra, exclusively used and promoted by BMW M Motorsport across premier international series such as the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), IMSA, and GT3 events like DTM and the Macau Grand Prix. From endurance challenges to high-stakes sprint races, the collaboration is grounded in joint R&D efforts focused on high-performance lubricants, advanced e-fluids, and future-forward technologies including hydrogen and battery electric solutions.
The launch of the #20 Shell BMW M Hybrid V8 at the 2025 WEC season opener in Qatar marks a new era 鈥� showcasing the Shell red and yellow across a full championship campaign including the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.
More than just a sponsorship, this is a co-engineered partnership. Shell鈥檚 experts work closely with BMW M Motorsport engineers to develop race-ready innovations that not only enhance performance on track but also shape the products our customers use every day 鈥� bringing motorsport expertise directly to the road.
Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH鈥淲ithout strong partners like Shell, engagements by BMW M in series production and BMW M Motorsport in racing are unthinkable鈥�
In 2025, Shell and BMW M Motorsport announced the renewal of their dynamic and longstanding partnership, bringing collaboration across energy, innovation, and premium technology.
Meet the team
Sheldon van der Linde
Sheldon van der Linde
Sheldon van der Linde is a 25-year-old professional racing driver from South Africa, known for his versatility and success across international motorsport. He began karting at the age of six and swiftly progressed through the ranks, becoming the youngest ever winner of a national championship in South Africa after securing the Polo Cup title in his debut season. His breakthrough into European racing came with the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM), where he made history in 2022 as the first South African to win the championship. He continued his strong performance with a milestone win at the N眉rburgring in 2024, giving BMW its 100th DTM victory.
In 2025, van der Linde expanded into endurance racing, competing full-time in both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the BMW M Hybrid V8 for BMW M Team WRT and BMW M Team RLL respectively. He also achieved a major career highlight by winning the Bathurst 12 Hour alongside his brother Kelvin van der Linde and teammate Augusto Farfus鈥攎arking the first brotherly win at the event in nearly 30 years. Sheldon continues to build on his reputation as one of South Africa鈥檚 most accomplished and dynamic drivers, demonstrating exceptional skill, adaptability, and determination on the global stage.
