Motorsport history
Shell was there alongside the earliest motorsport pioneers, helping to fuel their dreams of turning a new mode of transport into an exciting way to compete. And Shell is still involved today, partnering with race teams at tracks around the world – from Formula 1 to MotoGP to Nascar.
Pushing the limits of Motorsport
Read the transcript
Read the transcript
Title: Motorsport
Duration: 1:09 minute
Description:
This short video provides an overview of Shell’s involvement in and support of motorsport throughout the last century, how that involvement has led to advances for everyday drivers, and how Shell is involved with motorsport today.
The Motorsport Video Transcript
[Background music plays]
Sound of Shell adaptation.
[Footage sequence]
Historical black and white footage shows a man, standing about to interview Enzo Ferrari, who is seated next to him at a desk wearing black sunglasses
Television show host begins speaking
[Television show host]
“Enzo Ferrari, Italy's greatest name in motoring has been discussing motor oils with me.”
Narrator begins speaking
[Footage sequence]
A black and white image shows Enzo Ferrari standing among his cars at the factory in Maranello, followed by historical racing footage throughout the ages. Cars are shown racing on the track as well as being repaired during pitstops.
[Narrator]
It’s been 70 years since the first Ferrari rolled off the production line at Maranello, and innovation within motorsport has continued at pace. As one of the sports’s longest-standing collaborators, we have been at the forefront of this relentless progress.
[Footage sequence]
Images and footage of legendary Ferrari drivers are shown on screen.
[Narrator]
Working side by side with some of the most legendary names on the track.
[Footage sequence]
Historical black and white footage shows a television broadcaster conducting an interview with driver Graham Hill.
Television broadcaster begins speaking
[Television broadcaster]
“Graham Hill.”
[Graham Hill]
“Well a racing engine is tremendously tough on oil.”
Narrator begins speaking
[Footage sequence]
Laboratory footage featuring Shell V-Power products is shown on screen, followed by footage of high-performance motorcycles and cars in action on the track and in laboratory environments.
[Narrator]
Developing trophy-winning fuels and lubricants to help push the boundaries and deliver world-beating performances.
[Footage sequence]
A series of still photos showing Shell-sponsored drivers celebrating victories, followed by an aerial shot of a Shell filling station alongside a busy highway.
[Narrator]
We’ve made it our mission to transfer every incredible breakthrough from the racetrack to our customers on the road.
Television broadcaster begins speaking
[Footage sequence]
Black and white footage of a television broadcaster standing beside a racetrack with cars whizzing by.
[Television broadcaster]
“The oil Shell develops for Ferrari is the oil Shell develops for you.”
Narrator begins speaking
[Footage sequence]
Various pieces of footage featuring Shell V-Power are shown on screen in sequence, including a truck delivering fuel, a man working with the fuel in the Ferrari factory, and finally a Ferrari race car whizzing around a track with the Shell V-Power logo prominent on the chassis.
[Narrator]
Bringing you engine-cleaning performance fuels such as Shell V-Power. The best part of it all? Our journey has only just begun.
[Footage sequence]
Drivers celebrate after victories in motorsport, featuring flowers and trophies being held in the air and champagne being sprayed. This is followed by footage of a Ferrari race car pulling up to a commercial filling station with a filling station attendant standing alongside it. Finally the car pulls away very quickly and zooms past the Coliseum in Rome.
[Graphic]
Shell logo centred on a white background.
[Audio]
Shell mnemonic, piano version
A super-charged trip through our motoring highlights
1905
John Napier’s win in an Arrol-Johnston at the RAC Tourist Trophy was the first official victory for a Shell-powered car.
1907
Prince Borghese won the Peking to Paris motor rally using Shell Spirit motor oil.
1925
When Grand Prix racing started, Alfa Romeo emerged victorious in partnership with Shell.
1949
At the beginning of Shell’s technical partnership with Ferrari that still endures today, the team won the Le Mans 24-hour race for the first time as manufacturer.
1964
Using Shell products, John Surtees became the only person to win world championships on two wheels and four.
2004
Michael Schumacher won his 5th consecutive F1 Driver’s Championship with a Shell-powered Ferrari.
2007
Shell helped Casey Stoner and the Ducati team to a clean sweep in the world MOTO GP championship.
2008
Ferrari’s F1 team won its record 16th Constructor’s title, its 10th with Shell.
2016
Porsche took the top spot at Le Mans using Shell V-Power LM24 fuel.
From the fastest to the furthest
In 1938, a Mercedes F1 car was driven for 1km on Shell fuel and set an average speed record of 268mph – a record that still stands to this day.
The current Shell Eco-marathon record for distance travelled on 1 litre of fuel is 3771km, set by the French team in 2009.
From the race track to the road
The advances and discoveries that Shell makes in the field of motorsports feed into the products offered on Shell forecourts. Shell V-Power fuel and Shell Helix Ultra oil, for example, were actually developed in tandem with the Ferrari Formula One team. In 2017, Shell announced that over 23% of the total efficiency gains of the F1 Ferrari power unit over the previous three season were down to Shell V-Power race fuel and Shell Helix Ultra oil.
Read more about Shell’s partnership with Scuderia Ferrari
