Mercedes announces early extension of Petronas deal ahead of latest F1 2026 rules

Petronas has backed Mercedes as title sponsor throughout the turbo-hybrid era, first joining forces in 2010. It has helped secure a total of 15 drivers' and constructors' world championships during that time.

The current contract runs until the end of 2025, although the success of the partnership makes it likely to be extended indefinitely in the future.

However, as Mercedes ramps up preparations for new F1 engine rules from 2026 as the championship transitions to fully sustainable fuels, it has ensured the association is in place to get the job done. in the new rules of the model can begin in earnest.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff presented the new deal, which the group says is long-term, during a visit to Petronas headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

"Today we are doing something unusual, let's say a partnership that will start in 4 years," Wolff said.

"This sends a necessary message: our group and Petronas are not just partners, we are a family and will be a group for many years to come."

The partnership extension solidifies a joint push that Mercedes and Petronas are making towards a carbon-neutral future for the team.

As well as transitioning Formula 1 to a fully sustainable fuel, the Brackley-based team has set a goal of internet zero by 2030.

George Russell, Mercedes W13, makes a pit stop

Photo By: Steve Etherington/Motorsport Images

Petronas was the first F1 group to invest money in sustainable aviation fuel and recently helped Mercedes try to run many of its F1 racing trucks on biofuel for the current triple header in Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy.

The staff revealed that switching to biofuel for their vans reduced carbon emissions by 89% over the three weeks.

Petronas believes it could potentially provide a fully sustainable and competitive fuel for Mercedes' F1 cars and is also discovering various ways to reduce CO2 emissions in the years to come.

"With that in mind, we are already well on our way to building an entirely new biorefinery and co-processing across all of our services to provide sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a cleaner and more viable option for aircraft in our efforts to support the commercial needs of the aviation".

“This aligns with the Carbon Reduction and Offsetting Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which is expected to become mandatory again by 2027, and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) Internet Zero by 2030, each ready by a result in the logistical processes of the F1 teams.”