The energy and oil titan will add its name to the event, scheduled for August 28 this year, helping to secure the future of the famous race on the F1 calendar after questions had been raised over the Grand Prix’s financial viability. Shell already has a technical partnership with Formula One team Ferrari through to 2015, and the company advertises its brand at various races through the season.
“By becoming the title sponsor of the 2011 Formula One Shell Belgian Grand Prix, Shell continues to prove its commitment to the sport and play a key role in its enduring success,” said Formula One Management CEO Bernie Ecclestone. “We recognise the valuable contribution made by Shell over many years and are delighted to provide an environment for this global brand to develop its commercial products.”
In other news, Ecclestone has insisted that the Australian Grand Prix is “as important” as retaining Monaco on the F1 calendar whilst hinting at the possibility of building a state-of-the-art, permanent circuit in Melbourne.
Speaking ahead of the opening race of the season in Melbourne on March 27, Ecclestone told the Herald Sun that a purpose-built facility should have been constructed in the first place rather than the temporary Albert Park street circuit when the Australian Grand Prix moved from Adelaide to Melbourne back in 1996.
“(Grand Prix Corporation chairman) Ron (Walker) and I spoke about this a long, long time ago and I suppose in reality it would have been the right thing to do,” said Ecclestone. “It would have been 10 years ago or whatever and it would have been built cheaper than it would be today, but of course we would (still consider it).”
