Mobil 1 on track to repeat winning formula

ExxonMobil is helping the UK build on Lewis Hamilton’s motorsport success by sponsoring a global competition that develops future engineering talent in a racing environment.

Formula Student is run by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and challenges undergraduates around the world to design and build a single-seater car to be raced at Silverstone.

Mobil 1 is supporting a team entering from the University of Sussex. Rupert Bravery of ExxonMobil Lubricants & Specialties explained: “Formula Student fits in with two of ExxonMobil’s interests. The corporation champions science and maths and always looks to encourage students to take up those disciplines. Secondly, while our motorsport involvement is traditionally high-end, we have a desire to support grass-roots sport as well.”

Formula Student aims to build students’ technical and business skills, with teams restricted on engine capacity and budget. Built with the weekend racer in mind, the cars will be judged on various elements, such as racing ability, longevity and fuel economy, although how the teams design their cars and manage their businesses will also be considered.

Sponsorship from Mobil 1 includes lubricants, funding and business advice.

The team, named Mobil 1 University of Sussex, will carry the Mobil 1 logo on its car, website and uniforms. The competitive race at Silverstone takes place this July.

Also in 2009, ExxonMobil will again lend its motorsport and engineering expertise to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. The Mobil 1-sponsored team hopes to repeat the success of the 2008 season, which saw Lewis Hamilton crowned 2008 FIA Formula One World Drivers’ Champion. Hamilton won in nail-biting style, finishing fifth in the final race in Brazil with literally seconds to spare, taking the title by a single point.

“A big thank you to everyone at ExxonMobil for your continued support and hard work,” said Lewis. “In what has been a fantastic year, my success wouldn’t be possible without ExxonMobil’s expertise. As a technology partner to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, ExxonMobil products are essential to increasing the performance and reliability of my Championship-winning Grand Prix race car.”

Work is under way to fine tune Mobil 1’s products to meet the new demands of 2009. Next season, the cars will have to do three races without a change of oil, along with four races for the gear box, and cope with the introduction of the new Kinetic Energy Recovery systems.

Visit the Mobil 1 Team Sussex website here