The fuel gave Schumacher an improved fuel efficiency that allowed the car to run lighter, faster and enabled the Ferrari team to maximise Schumacher’s pit stops throughout the season. With the Ferrari team always looking for that extra edge over their competitors, Ferrari’s team principal, Jean Todt said: “Shell’s new fuel performed exactly as we had expected it to from our tests. Combined with the excellent tyre performance, the extra efficiency this fuel provides gave us a larger pit-stop window, which is a significant advantage when planning pit-stop and race strategies. Ultimately there is no doubt it has helped Michael to the title.”

The success of the team is due in part to the strength of its partnerships, with Ferrari only ever working with partners who are at the very top of their field. In Shell they have a dedicated fuel and oil development team who consistently exceed the demands placed upon them, constantly helping to give Ferrari the edge over their rivals.

Talking about the relationship between Shell and Ferrari, technical director Ross Brawn, said, “Shell has total access to our engine, our transmission and any part of the car they are involved in. They have total access to our designs and they work with our designers to find the best solutions.”

Ferrari is not the only winner from Shell’s development programme. The same engineers who design and develop fuel and oil for the Formula One team also design and develop road fuels, ensuring that lessons Shell learn from Formula One can benefit motorists filling up on Shell forecourts all over the world.

Essentially, the fuels developed by Shell and used by millions of motorists across the planet have been tested by World Champion Michael Schumacher and the Ferrari Formula One team.