Shell and Ferrari celebrate 500 races together
The Singapore Grand Prix marks a significant milestone for Shell’s Technical Partnership with Scuderia Ferrari as the companies reach their 500th Formula One Grand Prix together. Shell marked the occasion by presenting Scuderia Ferrari with a specially commissioned painting by motorsport artist Michael Turner.
The partnership dates back to the 1920’s when Shell first sponsored Enzo Ferrari as a racing driver who then went on to form his own racing team, Scuderia Ferrari. Shell accompanied Enzo on his venture and was a Technical Partner of Scuderia Ferrari at its first official Formula One Grand Prix at Monaco in 1950.
Shell has commissioned a painting by artist Michael Turner that depicts the historic nature of the partnership. The painting shows the Ferrari 125 F1 that took part in their first Formula One Grand Prix in Monaco in 1950, alongside the F2012 that will compete in the 500th race on Sunday in Singapore. Mark Williams, Shell Downstream Director, presented the painting to members of Scuderia Ferrari including Stefano Domenicali, Fernando Alonso, and Felipe Massa in front of the Ferrari garage.
Mark Williams, Shell Downstream Director:
"500 races is a magnificent achievement that is historical to Formula One. Ferrari and Shell share the same values which is fundamental in making the partnership so successful. We share a long-term vision in racing which is the best way to work in Formula One, we need to push Shell and Shell needs to push Ferrari. The painting presented to us today is an excellent depiction on how far the partnership has come and we hope that it continues for many more races. I want to thank Shell for our many successes together and I am looking forward to hopefully many more."
Stefano Domenicali, Ferrari Team Principal:
“This weekend we are celebrating another significant milestone in our ongoing relationship. It’s a fantastic achievement to reach 500 races, the partnership is stronger than ever as we continue to develop new fuels and lubricants, taking what we learn with Ferrari on the track to Shell products for the road. It is a pleasure to mark this occasion with a beautiful painting which depicts the history of our partnership.”
The Ferrari F2012s will feature a unique Shell ‘500 Races’ logo on the front and rear wing and a Ferrari F458 Challenge has been specially branded with the logo and will be driven by Scuderia Ferrari test driver Marc Gené in the supporting Ferrari Challenge race.
