Mercedes’ Petronas Fuel Cleared by FIA Ahead of Australian GP – Report
Mercedes has received a key boost on the eve of the 2026 season opener, with reports claiming that the FIA has homologated the team’s Petronas fuel for use at the Australian Grand Prix.
The approval comes after BP, fuel supplier to newcomer Audi, hinted that several rival manufacturers were “struggling” to finalise their fuel homologation in time for the F1 2026 opener.
The 2026 season marks a significant technical reset for Formula 1, with new chassis and engine regulations, fully sustainable fuels, 50 per cent electrification, and active aerodynamics all coming into play. The shift to sustainable fuels has introduced a more complex homologation process, overseen not only by the FIA but also by independent third-party verifier Zemo, which checks both production processes and final products.
During pre-season testing, it became apparent that some fuel suppliers had yet to secure full FIA approval before hitting the track. Petronas, which has supplied Mercedes since the team returned to Formula 1 in 2010 and serves as its title sponsor, was reportedly racing against the clock to complete the process.
With homologation now confirmed, Mercedes can head into Melbourne confident that its fuel — a crucial factor in efficiency and power delivery — meets the strict new F1 2026 standards.
Petronas Fuel for Mercedes Secures FIA Homologation Ahead of Australian GP
A report from The Race has confirmed that Mercedes’ Petronas fuel has now been officially homologated for the 2026 season, just ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
The announcement comes shortly after Luc Jolly, motorsport fluids technology lead at BP, outlined the challenges facing fuel suppliers under the sport’s new sustainable regulations. BP, partnering with Audi via its Castrol brand, achieved homologation last month, marking a key milestone ahead of its first F1 race with the German manufacturer.
Jolly noted that while BP is “in good shape” for Melbourne, other fuel suppliers remain tight-lipped about their progress, hinting that some may still be facing hurdles.
“The new homologation process is far more complex than before,” he said. “With 2026 fuels, everything — from feedstock sourcing to production, lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, and final delivery — has to be verified by an independent body appointed by the FIA, called Zemo. They audit every step of the supply chain to ensure compliance with the FIA’s sustainability standards.”
Jolly explained that while the fuel must meet defined chemical parameters, the advanced sustainable requirements add an entirely new layer of scrutiny, making timing tight for some suppliers.
For Mercedes, the approval of Petronas fuel means the team can head into the season opener confident that its car is running a fully compliant, high-performance fuel — a key factor in both efficiency and race pace under F1 2026’s technical regulations.
The rigorous homologation process underscores the complexity of Formula 1’s shift to sustainable fuels, electrification, and active aerodynamics in its newest era, highlighting the challenges teams face just to get their cars on track.