BMW
Shell is the official Premium Technology, Innovation & Energy Partner of BMW M Motorsport - powering performance in endurance and touring car racing worldwide.
Enduring quality - Working in unison to extract maximum performance and efficiency
Since 2015, Shell and BMW M Motorsport have partnered at the cutting edge of global racing. In 2025, the collaboration entered an exciting new chapter — with Shell stepping into the role of official Premium Technology, Innovation, and Energy Partner.
This expanded partnership sees Shell’s products, including Shell Helix Ultra, exclusively used and promoted by BMW M Motorsport across premier international series such as the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), IMSA, and GT3 events like DTM and the Macau Grand Prix. From endurance challenges to high-stake sprint races, the collaboration is grounded in joint R&D efforts focused on high-performance lubricants, advanced e-fluids, and future-forward technologies including hydrogen and battery electric solutions.
The launch of the #20 Shell BMW M Hybrid V8 at the 2025 WEC season opener in Qatar marked a new era — showcasing the Shell red and yellow across a full championship campaign including the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.
More than just a sponsorship, this is a co-engineered partnership. Shell’s experts work closely with BMW M Motorsport engineers to develop race-ready innovations that not only enhance performance on track but also shape the products our customers use every day — bringing motorsport expertise directly to the road.
Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH“Without strong partners like Shell, engagements by BMW M in series production and BMW M Motorsport in racing are unthinkable”
In 2025, Shell and BMW M Motorsport announced the renewal of their dynamic and longstanding partnership, bringing collaboration across energy, innovation, and premium technology.
Meet the team
Sheldon van der Linde
Sheldon van der Linde
Sheldon van der Linde is a South African professional racing driver recognised for his versatility and success in international motorsport. After beginning in karting at six, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the youngest-ever national champion in South Africa by winning the Polo Cup in his debut season. He broke through in Europe in the DTM, making history in 2022 as the first South African to win the championship, and in 2024 secured a milestone Nürburgring victory to deliver BMW’s 100th DTM win.
In 2025, he expanded into endurance racing, competing full-time in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the BMW M Hybrid V8 for BMW M Team WRT and BMW M Team RLL, and claimed a landmark Bathurst 12 Hour victory alongside his brother Kelvin van der Linde and Augusto Farfus, the event’s first brotherly win in nearly 30 years, further cementing his reputation as one of South Africa’s most accomplished and dynamic drivers.
René Rast
René Rast
René Rast has extensive experience across touring cars, endurance racing and Formula E. After starting in karting and Formula BMW, he claimed multiple titles in Porsche Carrera Cup Germany (2008, 2012), Porsche Supercup (2010–2012) and ADAC GT Masters (2014). His endurance successes include class wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona (2012, 2016), overall victories at the 24 Hours of Spa (2012, 2014) and the 24h Nürburgring (2014), as well as a second-place finish at Le Mans in 2016. A three-time DTM champion (2017, 2019, 2020), Rast has also raced in Formula E across multiple seasons, including a recent campaign with McLaren in Season 9
Robin Frijns
Robin Frijns
Robin Frijns has a wealth of single-seater and endurance experience. The Dutch driver began his career in karting before winning the Formula BMW Europe title in 2010 and securing further championships in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and Formula Renault 3.5, earning Formula 1 reserve roles with Sauber and Caterham. A long-time Formula E competitor, most recently with Envision Racing, he has also achieved significant success in GT and prototype racing, including Blancpain GT Series titles with WRT, an overall win at the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2022, LMP2 campaigns in WEC and multiple DTM victories in a podium-filled 2020 season.
BMW Track Days
Shell is proud to partner with BMW M Trackday, bringing together performance, precision and passion for motorsport where it belongs – on the track. Designed for both enthusiastic amateurs and seasoned drivers, BMW M Trackday delivers a high-adrenaline experience, with an exciting programme of road and race models that showcase the very best of BMW M performance.
