Fuelling a winning formula

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 9, 2026

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One team debuted a newly developed Advanced Sustainable Fuel by PETRONAS in the 2026 season, securing dominant early victories under the sport's updated sustainability regulations. This collaboration underscores a strategic technical alliance that not only boosts performance on the track but also advances innovations with potential impact beyond motorsport, aligning with broader energy transition goals.

When the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One (F1) team took to the grid for the opening race of the 2026 season in Melbourne, their cars featured a notable technological advancement: a newly developed Advanced Sustainable Fuel (ASF) created by PETRONAS. This marked the first competitive use of sustainable fuel that was not available when the current F1 regulations were initially established.

The season opened amidst significant uncertainty about competitive outcomes, yet the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS team quickly established dominance by securing first and second place finishes in the first two races, held in Australia and China. With two-thirds of the season completed, the team had won 11 of 16 races and was firmly leading the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.

This level of success highlights the longstanding collaboration between PETRONAS engineers in Kuala Lumpur and the Mercedes-AMG F1 team based in Brackley and Brixworth in the United Kingdom. The partnership, which has spanned more than 16 years since Mercedes’ entry into Formula One in 2010, is viewed by team principal and CEO Toto Wolff as a core factor behind the team’s consistent performance.

Wolff emphasized that the relationship is more than a typical sponsorship, evolving from a marketing initiative into a deep technical alliance embedded within the team’s operations. He noted that PETRONAS is considered an integral part of the organization, particularly through the joint development of the 2026 season’s ASF and the W17 car, both designed to meet the FIA’s newly implemented regulations. The collaboration involves three key contributors: the Mercedes engine team in Brixworth, the chassis team in Brackley, and the PETRONAS fuel technology team in Kuala Lumpur. PETRONAS supplies the fuels and lubricants essential to the car’s performance, while the other teams focus on power units, chassis, and electrical systems.

Wolff highlighted that the trust and friendship cultivated over years between the two organizations form the foundation for their success, which includes over 130 Grand Prix wins and multiple consecutive championship titles. He also pointed out that the innovations developed within F1 often have broader implications beyond the racetrack. Technologies initially pioneered in Formula One, such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and traction control, have been adapted to enhance everyday vehicle safety on public roads.

The 2026 season represented a significant transition with new technical regulations governing cars, power units, and fuels designed to increase sustainability within the sport. Wolff acknowledged the extensive efforts, including high-level coordination and testing, necessary to bring the new fuel to a competitive standard. He credited PETRONAS for their leading role in delivering the groundbreaking sustainable fuel technology, which he believes will give the team a decisive advantage throughout the year.

Beyond motorsports, Wolff views the move toward sustainable fuels and hybrid powertrains as part of a broader energy transition, with implications reaching far beyond racing. The advancements made through this partnership demonstrate how F1 continues to serve as a cutting-edge laboratory for innovations that can extend into commercial transportation and energy sectors.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.