Formula One motor-racing team Red Bull Racing has entered into a partnership with multinational oil and gas company ExxonMobil.
The deal will initially cover the 2017 F1 season and names ExxonMobil as a team partner, official fuel partner, official lubricant partner and official motor oil partner of Red Bull.
ExxonMobil will provide Red Bull with its lubricants and synergy race fuels, and deliver engineering support to develop next-generation lubricants.
As part of the agreement, the logos of ExxonMobil’s Mobil 1 and Esso brands will feature on Red Bull’s cars, driver overalls and helmets. The two brands will also be displayed at the Red Bull Racing factory in the English city of Milton Keynes, and at trackside events.
The deal brings to an end ExxonMobil’s 21-year association with rival team McLaren.
ExxonMobil becomes the second long-term partner to join Red Bull from McLaren in the past year, with Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer having made the switch ahead of the 2016 season. Tag Heuer this week extended the deal, which grants it branding on the team’s engines, for a further two years.
ExxonMobil will replace French multinational energy firm Total as Red Bull’s fuel partner.
Matt Bergeron, vice-president of marketing for ExxonMobil Fuels, Lubricants & Specialties Marketing Company, said: “Red Bull Racing provides a dynamic platform to showcase our world-class lubricant and fuels technologies. We are excited about building a relationship with Red Bull's excellent young drivers who are establishing reputations as competitive racers and who will help showcase our brands to generations of consumers.”