Indian Oil Corp, India’s largest fuel retailer, intends to provide fuel for Formula 1 cars. “We anticipate producing Formula 1 car fuel and obtaining the necessary certifications within three months,” stated Indian Oil Chairman Shrikant Madhav Vaidya.
Leading global oil companies like Petronas, Shell, ExxonMobil, and Castrol currently supply fuel to participants in the prestigious auto racing championship. Vaidya mentioned that once the fuel is certified, Indian Oil will vie with these major players for fuel supply contracts with individual teams in the race, as he informed reporters during an event in Delhi.
Recently, Indian Oil introduced a high-octane fuel tailored for superbike racing. It has also become the official fuel partner for the Asia Road Racing Championship from 2024 to 2026, providing premium gasoline STORM-Ultimate Racing Fuel for all championship rounds.
Formula 1 cars are widely recognized as the fastest on race tracks, utilizing premium gasoline fuel with an octane rating ranging between 87 and 102 for optimal performance. With ten teams and approximately 24 races, this year’s Formula 1 season began on March 2 in Bahrain and will conclude on December 8 in Abu Dhabi.
The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile oversees the fuel regulations for the championship. Vaidya revealed that Indian Oil’s Formula 1 fuel will have an octane rating exceeding 95 and will be manufactured at its Paradip refinery in Odisha.
Vaidya emphasized that by entering Formula 1, Indian Oil aims to showcase its prowess in its diverse and specialized product range.