McLaren uncertain of fuel supplier for new F1 season

McLaren Formula 1 chiefs Zak Brown and Gil de Ferran remain unsure whether the team’s planned switch to Petrobras fuel and lubricants will be able to take effect for the start of the new season.

McLaren announced a new partnership with Petrobras in early 2018 and raced with sponsorship from the Brazilian firm on its car throughout last season, but continued to use products supplied by BP/Castrol.

The team had planned to switch across to Petrobras completely for 2019, but recent reports in Brazil have claimed the government was looking to scale back its investment in F1 through state-backed companies.

McLaren Racing CEO Brown said the company enjoyed a “great relationship” with Petrobras, adding it was the team’s “intention” to use its products in 2019.

Pressed on the matter, sporting director de Ferran was unable to firmly clarify if the team would be using Petrobras for testing next week in Barcelona or the start of the new season in Australia.

“I think we are still working on the development together with Petrobras,” de Ferran said.

“It would be difficult to put a timescale on it right now.”

Asked if switching brands midway through the season would cause issues, de Ferran replied: “When we make our plans we take all those difficulties into account, so we will make sure we execute them properly.”

Were McLaren to switch to Petrobras through 2019, it would be the sole team on the grid working with the Brazilian firm.