OUR F1 GENEALOGY

Mobil 1’s Formula 1™ family tree, from the earliest days
of development to a record-breaking technology
partnership with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

'; ?> At the 2012 Canadian Grand Prix, Mobil 1 celebrates 300 races as a partner of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1™ team.

Dating back to 1995, the partnership is the longest-running continuous deal between an oil company and a Formula 1™ team, and comes almost 40 years after Mobil 1 first got involved with the sport.

Mobil sponsored the Williams Formula 1™ Team in the 1979 and 1980 seasons, but Mobil 1 engine oil was not used in the Williams cars until the start of the 1981 season.

“The marketers wanted to prove that the off-the-shelf consumer synthetic lubricants were so good they would work in high-performance race engines,” recalls Bill Maxwell, ExxonMobil distinguished engineering advisor and the Mobil 1 team leader who helped pioneer the first synthetic oils in the early 70s.

The first taste of Formula 1™ victory for Mobil 1 came in 1981, with Alan Jones winning the USA West Grand Prix. “That moment was a great motivator for us all,” says Tony Harlow, who oversaw the company’s first racing partnerships. “Pride and passion have been at the foundation of our success ever since.”

And there has been plenty of success. The partnership with Williams, which lasted from 1981 to 1987, resulted in 29 race wins, three Constructors’ titles and two Drivers’ championships. Mobil then became a technology partner of the Benetton F1 team, winning five races.

And during 18 years with McLaren, a long line of top-class drivers - from Hakkinen to Hamilton – have secured more and more Grand Prix wins that continue to strengthen Mobil 1’s Formula 1™ heritage.

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