Shell and BMW M Motorsport enhanced R&D commitment
Following the conclusion of the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans, Shell Lubricants and BMW M Motorsport have announced the renewal of their long-standing partnership, extending their agreement with a strengthened focus on research and development (R&D) including sustainable fluid technologies for both motorsport and passenger vehicles.
As BMW M Motorsport’s official ‘Premium Technology, Innovation, and Energy Partner’, Shell is supporting the industry’s shift towards lower-carbon mobility solutions without compromising the extreme performance and reliability required for the world’s most demanding endurance races.
At the iconic event this weekend, BMW M Motorsport and Shell finished the 94th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a strong second place.
At the race, the partners unveiled the first major technological milestone under the renewed commitment to further collaborate in R&D.
The #20 Shell BMW M Hybrid V8 competed the race using a newly designed, more sustainable racing lubricant – a revolutionary engine oil formulated with re-refined base oil (RRBO), marking this a significant step forward in the development of lower-carbon performance solutions for the racetrack, and the road.
The #20 BMW M car also featured a brand-new livery unveiled by BMW M Motorsport and Shell ahead of the race.
Co-developed by Shell and BMW M Motorsport for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season, this new and exclusive more sustainable racing lubricant aims to reduce the oils environmental footprint by integrating circular economy principles, through the reuse of high-quality base oils derived from used oil streams.
Shell and BMW M Motorsport’s debut of the new RRBO formulation for the 2026 race marks an important step towards a more circular approach to motorsport performance, demonstrating that innovative lubricant technology can withstand the extreme operating conditions of a top-class hypercar engine while reducing product carbon intensity by more than nine per cent.
Under the renewed partnership, Shell will also continue to support BMW M Motorsport’s programs such as the GT3 racing activities at the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) and the Macau Grand Prix.