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Shell Global
Old style red racing car on racing track

Motorsport history

Shell was there alongside the earliest motorsport pioneers, helping to fuel their dreams of turning a new mode of transport into an exciting way to compete. And Shell is still involved today, partnering with race teams at tracks around the world – from Formula 1 to MotoGP to Nascar.

Pushing the limits of Motorsport

Pushing the limits of Motorsport

A super-charged trip through our motoring highlights

1905

John Napier’s win in an Arrol-Johnston at the RAC Tourist Trophy was the first official victory for a Shell-powered car.

Front of a vintage Rolls-Royce

1907

Prince Borghese won the Peking to Paris motor rally using Shell Spirit motor oil.

Black and white photo of people lining the street at Paris motor rally

1925

When Grand Prix racing started, Alfa Romeo emerged victorious in partnership with Shell.

vintage Alfa Romeo racing car

1949

At the beginning of Shell’s technical partnership with Ferrari that still endures today, the team won the Le Mans 24-hour race for the first time as manufacturer.  

old Ferrari racing car

1964

Using Shell products, John Surtees became the only person to win world championships on two wheels and four.

John Surtees sitting in racing car

2004

Michael Schumacher won his 5th consecutive F1 Driver’s Championship with a Shell-powered Ferrari.

Michael Schumacher in front of Shell Pecten

2007

Shell helped Casey Stoner and the Ducati team to a clean sweep in the world MOTO GP championship.

Casey Stoner drinking from Champagne bottle

2008

Ferrari’s F1 team won its record 16th Constructor’s title, its 10th with Shell.

f1-racing-car.jpeg

2016

Porsche took the top spot at Le Mans using Shell V-Power LM24 fuel.

Porsche car racing
Shell Eco Marathon racing cars on track

From the fastest to the furthest

In 1938, a Mercedes F1 car was driven for 1km on Shell fuel and set an average speed record of 268mph – a record that still stands to this day.

The current Shell Eco-marathon record for distance travelled on 1 litre of fuel is 3771km, set by the French team in 2009.

Shell V-Power signage

From the race track to the road

The advances and discoveries that Shell makes in the field of motorsports feed into the products offered on Shell forecourts. Shell V-Power fuel and Shell Helix Ultra oil, for example, were actually developed in tandem with the Ferrari Formula One team. In 2017, Shell announced that over 23% of the total efficiency gains of the F1 Ferrari power unit over the previous three season were down to Shell V-Power race fuel and Shell Helix Ultra oil.

Read more about Shell’s partnership with Scuderia Ferrari

More about Shell's heritage

Flag bearing Shell branding

Brand history

Over a century ago, Shell’s iconic logo started life as a mussel shell – discover how the brand has changed over the years.

Black and White photo of Shell Motor Spirit vehicles

Company history

Go back to 1833 to see where it all started and how Shell has evolved to become one of the world’s leading energy companies.

More aspects of Our Heritage

preserving shells heritage

Preserving Shell heritage

With so much inspiration to draw from the past, we are committed to preserving and celebrating Shell’s heritage and sharing it with as many people as possible.

Pilot sitting in spitfire aircraft

Aviation History

Shell has been powering aviation from its earliest beginnings…here are just a few of the milestones the company has been a part of along the way.

Three people wearing white lab coats talking

Major Innovation Milestones

Shell’s history is full of examples of how we’ve powered progress through new ideas and pioneering technology. On this page, we’ve looked at some of the key areas where we’ve made breakthroughs over the years, and where we’re still pushing boundaries today.