EXXONMOBIL DELIVERS TECHNOLOGY BEHIND MCLAREN MERCEDES RACE FUEL

Company press release.

Unique ExxonMobil fuels formulation engineered to deliver maximum power in 2014

◾2014 race teams seeking maximum power and efficiency from reduced fuel loads

◾Unique fuels package precision-engineered by ExxonMobil for McLaren Mercedes MP4-29 in same laboratory as EssoTM road fuels

◾Bahrain race livery to feature Esso logo in recognition of long standing fuels technology partnership

Bahrain, 4 April 2014 -- In a year when Grand Prix racing teams are increasingly looking to their fuels to deliver competitive advantage, McLaren Mercedes' new and unique fuel – developed by ExxonMobil – has been exceeding expectations throughout testing and the early races.

Along with Mobil 1TM lubricants, gear oil, greases and hydraulic oils, ExxonMobil has supplied high-performance race formulation fuel and trackside expertise to the McLaren Mercedes race team during the course of their 20 year collaboration.

For 2014, more so perhaps than at any other time in their technical partnership, the partners have worked hand-in-hand to ensure that the new 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid power units are as powerful and efficient as possible.

With fuel consumption the subject of intense debate now that loads have been restricted to 100kg per race (a decrease of around 35 percent compared to last year's average consumption), ExxonMobil's team of scientists developed a completely new fuel for the MP4-29 – engineered at molecular level to ensure full conformity with FIA specifications and mitigate for the issue of 'knock' (detonation) common in turbocharged engines.

Minimizing engine knock is critical for two reasons: first and foremost because it can potentially lead to catastrophic engine failure, which - in a season where teams are restricted to five power units - is of vital importance. The second major reason relates to the team's ability to improve engine performance and ensure that by minimising knock, they gain as much power as possible from their fuel load.

In preparation for the 2014 season, a team from ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company formulated a brand new fuel that would minimize the risk of engine knock to help extract maximum power from the available fuel.

Bruce Crawley, Global Motorsport Technology Manager, said: 'Our race fuels development programme is extremely challenging, given the strict FIA regulations governing composition. This new fuel is the result of 12 months' work, from mathematical fuel modelling to thousands of kilometres of testing, and has proven our ability to innovate within these confines.'

The 2014 season sees ExxonMobil and the McLaren Mercedes Formula 1TM team celebrate 20 years of technology partnership – a period in which they have clocked-up an impressive 334 races and 78 victories. The Bahrain race weekend will see the final appearance of the special Esso-branded MP4-29 livery to mark the long standing fuels technology partnership.

Jonathan Neale, Chief Operating Officer at McLaren Racing, said: 'Just as passionate about winning as we are, ExxonMobil's team of specialists are 100% committed to delivering performance advantage on track. With fuels a key focus of the 2014 regulation changes, we have been delighted to recognize ExxonMobil's technology contributions over the last two decades by placing the Esso logo on the MP4-29 during the Malaysian and Bahrain Grands Prix.'

About Esso

Esso is one of three retail fuels brands within the ExxonMobil portfolio, alongside Exxon and Mobil, with a global branded network of over 25,000 service stations. ExxonMobil fuels technology is a crucial factor in the partnership with the McLaren Mercedes Formula 1TM team, covering the provision of high-performance race formulation fuel and trackside support. Esso advanced fuels are developed to help drivers around the world keep their engines running more smoothly, delivering enhanced engine performance and working at a molecular level to help remove deposits in the fuel system. For further information on Esso fuels visit fuelprogress.com

About Mobil 1

The world's leading synthetic motor oil brand, Mobil 1 features anti-wear technology that provides performance beyond our conventional motor oils. This technology allows Mobil 1 to meet or exceed the toughest standards of car builders and to provide exceptional protection against engine wear, under normal or even some of the most extreme conditions. Mobil 1 flows quickly in extreme temperatures to protect critical engine parts and is designed to maximize engine performance and help extend engine life. For more information, visit mobil1.com and www.facebook.com/mobil1.

About McLaren Mercedes

New Zealand racing driver Bruce McLaren founded the McLaren team in 1963. Since 1966, when it entered its first Formula 1 race, McLaren has won 20 world championships and more than 180 Grand Prix races. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013, McLaren is now globally renowned as one of sport's most successful competitors and as one of the world's most illustrious high-technology brands. The McLaren Group has grown to encompass much more than just racing: it houses a cutting-edge electronics division that services the entire Formula 1, Indy Car and NASCAR grids; McLaren Applied Technologies creates cutting-edge solutions for modern industry, while McLaren Automotive not only produced the 1990s' original supercar, the F1, but has gone on to launch the internationally acclaimed 12C and McLaren P1™ high-performance cars. The team campaigns the 2014 FIA Formula 1 World Championship with the driver pairing of 2009 world champion Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen. They drive the McLaren Mercedes MP4-29. Visit www.mclaren.com for more details.

posted on conceptcarz.com