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In a weekend where the roar of engines will echo across North America, Shell is quietly playing a pivotal role in enabling elite racing teams across Formula 1, NASCAR, and IndyCar to vie for crucial victories. While aerodynamic advancements and chassis innovations often capture the spotlight, the unsung heroes in the quest for speed and performance frequently lie hidden beneath the sleek bodywork, within the intricate workings of engines and gearboxes. In a modern motorsport landscape increasingly defined by stringent regulations that limit component choices, organizations like Team Penske and Scuderia Ferrari are turning to sophisticated fuel and lubricant technology to unlock marginal, yet decisive, performance gains.
Shell’s Integral Role in Team Penske’s Pursuit of Indy 500 Dominance
The Indianapolis 500, a jewel in the IndyCar crown, presents a unique set of challenges and demands. For Team Penske, a storied organization with an unparalleled record at the Brickyard, securing their 21st Indy 500 victory hinges on a meticulous approach to every facet of the race car. This includes a deep collaboration with Shell, focusing on the development of bespoke lubricant formulations.
David Faustino, Technical Director at Team Penske, elaborated on the intricate partnership with Shell, particularly concerning the IndyCar program. "We work in conjunction with Shell to develop a variety of custom lubricants for our IndyCar program," Faustino stated. He highlighted that for the Indianapolis 500, the development process extends to creating distinct lubricant recipes tailored specifically for qualifying and the race itself. This nuanced approach is driven by the differing demands placed upon the machinery during these two critical phases of the event.
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Faustino explained the strategic rationale behind these specialized formulations: "IMS, obviously, we’re chasing the most efficient package, and the loads are very constant. So when the car goes out there on the racetrack, it’s just running at a high speed, but in a very small RPM range, and it’s not going on and off power. So actually, the torque is low, but the speed is high. And like on a road course or street course, you have like short first gear, low speed, super high acceleration, super high load, but lower constant speed. So, like, the application is different enough to where they can help us make a difference just with the use case of the car and that specific type of track."
The strategic importance of these lubricant choices was underscored by David Malukas’s front-row starting position for the Indy 500. Faustino emphasized that achieving such a position is a testament to a comprehensive team effort, extending from driver skill to the meticulous work of mechanics and engineers, and crucially, to the lubricant within the gearbox. Temperature and run time are significant factors influencing the selection of a customized gear oil mixture for qualifying.
"It doesn’t have to last as long," Faustino noted regarding qualifying lubricants. "And the difference there is when you start qualifying, everything’s cold. In only four laps, it stays relatively cold, where in the race, it’ll stay at the elevated temperature the whole time." This distinction allows for lubricants that prioritize peak performance over extended durability during the shorter, intense qualifying runs.
Dr. Selda Gunsel, Chief Technology Officer at Shell, echoed the significance of these advancements. "When it comes to transmissions or gearbox fluids, we actually work directly with Team Penske engineers to again improve the efficiency of the gearbox," she explained. "It’s the same principle as engine oil. We want to reduce friction and improve efficiency, but at the same time, make sure that the gearbox operates efficiently under high load conditions, in the extreme conditions found in races. And we want to make sure that our oils sustain under different conditions, super speedways or short tracks. And it is amazing. We can measure significant horsepower increases due to improved efficiency in the gearbox." Dr. Gunsel further confirmed that Team Penske’s internal testing of Shell’s fluids has yielded quantifiable horsepower gains, directly attributable to improved gearbox efficiency.
Shell’s Contribution to Team Penske’s NASCAR Campaign at Charlotte
The synergy between Shell and Team Penske extends beyond the IndyCar series to the high-octane world of NASCAR, particularly in preparation for the demanding Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In this discipline, Shell’s role encompasses optimizing transaxle efficiency in the Cup cars and collaborating with Roush Yates Engines to maximize horsepower and ensure engine durability.
Dr. Gunsel revealed a key project undertaken in anticipation of the current NASCAR season: testing lubricant formulas to support teams in adapting to the new 750 horsepower engine package mandated for select tracks. This initiative required modifications to lubricant formulations to maintain durability while simultaneously enhancing performance under the increased power output.
For the Coca-Cola 600, a race renowned for its considerable length, durability is a paramount concern for lubricants. However, performance remains a critical factor, with Shell frequently developing custom oil formulas designed to extract additional power. These bespoke formulations undergo rigorous dyno testing by Roush Yates Engines, with Team Penske and Shell collaborating to determine the optimal choice for each race weekend. The specific engine oil recipe for each NASCAR variant is often dictated by engine loads, race durations, and the extent to which performance envelopes can be pushed. Dr. Gunsel identified friction reduction as a primary avenue for achieving these gains.
"The engine oil, as well as the gearbox oil, are customized based on the needs of the specific race team," Dr. Gunsel stated. "So, we work very closely to reduce friction and improve horsepower. We go to very, very low viscosities. If you are familiar with engine oil viscosities, we go to 0W water-like fluids to ensure that we minimize friction loss." This pursuit of ultra-low viscosity lubricants is a direct effort to minimize internal engine friction, thereby translating more power to the track.
Shell’s Advanced Support for Scuderia Ferrari in Formula 1
In Formula 1, Shell’s involvement with Scuderia Ferrari transcends lubricant development, encompassing a sophisticated trackside laboratory operation. This facility allows Shell engineers to work in close proximity with their Ferrari counterparts in Montreal, constantly analyzing fuel and lubricant performance. This real-time data enables them to provide crucial recommendations for adjusting power unit parameters, thereby maximizing performance.
Dr. Gunsel detailed the extensive four-year development process behind the sustainable fuel that debuted with the latest Formula 1 regulations. This ongoing endeavor involves continuous study and iteration, with plans to introduce an updated fuel version to Ferrari for the upcoming Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. The initial development phase presented significant hurdles.
"This year, the fuel had to be 100% advanced sustainable components, and you know, previously, the bio-component requirement was only 10%," Dr. Gunsel explained. "So, if you’re talking about going from 10% bio, 90% fossil-based gasoline to 100% sustainable feedstocks, one of the challenges is that these components don’t exist in the marketplace. There’s very limited quantities coming from startups, and we have some JVs that we leverage, but we really had to, like, invent new supply chains, new process technologies, new molecules to be able to develop this fuel."
She further elaborated on the technical complexities: "Some of these components have very low energy densities as compared to fossil fuels, so you really have to make up for that loss in the formulation. And the other thing we did, which was really helpful, was we used advanced digital technologies, machine learning-based digital workflows to screen. I think we screened over 2 million different formulations to be able to select a few to do the actual engine tests in Maranello in Ferrari."
The insights gleaned from this advanced digital screening and subsequent engine testing directly informed the development of the trackside laboratory. This mobile facility now travels to Formula 1 races, providing Ferrari with near-instantaneous feedback on fuel and lubricant performance. This allows for immediate adjustments between track sessions, a critical advantage in the highly competitive F1 environment.
As Charles Leclerc and Ferrari aim to defend their third-place standing in the championship at the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend, Shell’s trackside lab will be fully operational. Concurrently, drivers like David Malukas at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Ryan Blaney at Charlotte Motor Speedway will be leveraging similar research and technological advancements from Shell as they all pursue victories in what is often referred to as the greatest day in motorsport. This multi-disciplinary effort underscores Shell’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance across the diverse spectrum of motorsport.
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