Gulf Oil, the famous US petroleum brand, is returning to Formula 1, having signed a multi-year agreement with UK-based team and former partner McLaren.

Under the sponsorship deal, which covers the McLaren Racing operation and luxury supercar company McLaren Automotive, Gulf Oil will receive extensive branding.

This will include distinctive logos on the McLaren car engine covers and mirrors, and on drivers’ and pit crew overalls, starting with this weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The deal comes after Petrobras, the Brazilian state oil company, ended its sponsorship of McLaren in late 2019, just two years into a five-year deal, as part of a cost-cutting drive by the country’s federal government.

The new deal rekindles a relationship between McLaren and Gulf that began in 1968 and ran to 1973, a period that included 40 race victories for the team in Formula 1 and the Can-Am series, and was renewed for the Le Mans 24 Hours in the 1990s with the McLaren F1 GTR sporting the company’s branding throughout the decade.

Zak Brown, the chief executive of McLaren Racing, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Gulf back to McLaren and reunite two iconic brands back together in a new and exciting partnership. Gulf is part of McLaren’s history and are well-known for their innovation and technical excellence in the industry, which aligns with McLaren perfectly. We are looking forward to starting our partnership together this season.”

From 2021, Gulf will serve as the preferred lubricant supplier to McLaren Automotive, with all cars to be filled with Gulf Oil and fuel optimised for high performance engines.

Sportcal