Shell oils for the Australian GP - 3rd March 18:37pm GMT

Engine Lubricant

· Ferrari has the option to change its engine lubricant throughout the weekend to suit strategy. Shell has developed a selection of three new engine oils for the team

· Whilst the main blend is based around last year’s successful Shell Helix SL0848 the team will have the option of changing to blends to adjust amongst other things the viscosity* as the weekend evolves. This is a revolutionary approach to race strategy

· Last year’s race was run in cool conditions, a huge benefit for racing engines. Temperatures in Melbourne are high at the moment and this could significantly impact on engine life. Given that engines taken to Australia will have to run in high temperature conditions in Malaysia two weeks later, the majority of teams will look to conserve engines during the first race

· ‘A key factor for success in 2005 is knowing exactly how hard to push the engines. Having developed a portfolio of oils with Shell, we should be able to push the engines harder for longer without compromising track time or engine wear during practice sessions’ Ross Brawn, Ferrari Technical Director

· ‘With a selection of three Shell different Shell Racing oil blends we are confident that we have found a range of excellent oils that will protect and power the Ferrari engine into 2005’ Mike Copson, Shell Formula One Technical Manager


Fuel

· New Shell V-Power ULG59/L5 features a new additive package designed to compliment the new engine oil strategy

· Additives with an extra protective and lubricating quality have been blended into the original formulation to assist with protection the combustion chamber.

· At the 2004 Australian Grand Prix, Shell’s low-density fuel helped the Ferrari drivers stay on track longer than most rivals on the same strategy. Having worked closely with Bridgestone and Ferrari, Shell is expecting to provide similar strategic advantages this year

· Fuel consumption in Australia is average although high temperatures will see fuel conditioning take on an added element as teams try and keep the fuel as cool as is legally allowed for the extra performance and pit stop flexibility that ‘conditioned’ fuel provides

*TECHNICAL NOTE: VISCOSITY
Generally speaking, the thicker an oil, the more protection it offers an engine and gearbox often at the cost of efficiency which is lost overcoming the extra friction. Again, in theory, a thinner or less viscous lubricant allows the engine to run quicker but may struggle to cope with higher temperatures and may not protect the engine as effectively.