From the Editori
From the Editor https://istoe.com.br/autor/da-redacao/
02/11/2023 – 15:34
On one of the most traditional circuits in the history of Formula 1, Brazil will host the São Paulo Grand Prix on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of November, at the Interlagos race track. This event brings with it the immense passion of fans of the most popular category in the world and marks the 51st race in the country, which has been held annually since 1972.
This is not just a sporting spectacle; The Formula 1 calendar also generates a significant economic impact on the country. In 2022, the Brazilian GP moved an impressive R$1.37 billion to the capital of São Paulo, with the presence of more than 200 thousand spectators in the three days of speed, in addition to the generation of around 15 thousand temporary jobs and the total occupancy of hotels , with many tourists passing through the city.
And for this year’s visitors, two special elements enhance the paddock even further: the incredible partnership between Williams Racing and Gulf, which arrived in Brazil in the gas station segment and will be in Interlagos on the tracks and also outside, with the sponsorship of a cabin next to Fit Combustíveis.
Brazilians’ admiration for Formula 1
The passion of Brazilian fans for this motor sport has lasted longer than the layout of the José Carlos Pace racetrack, which hosts the second to last stage of the season. This is because Brazilian drivers have been competing in F1 since 1951, one year after the category was created. Over time, Brazil has been represented by 30 drivers, including two-time champions Emerson Fittipaldi and three-time champions Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna.
The last two names mentioned are responsible for the positive feeling that some sports enthusiasts have for the traditional Williams team, which won nine titles in the Constructors’ World Championship and seven in the Drivers’ World Championship, including a victory with Piquet.
Get to know Gulf and a little about its history in motorsport
This year, Williams comes to São Paulo with a recent sponsorship from a brand that also appeals to many fans and motorsport lovers around the world: Gulf. The famous oil company, a pioneer in launching the first drive-thru gas station, has been present in the world of racing since 1936, supporting a Mormon Meteor in breaking ground speed records.
Over the decades, Gulf expanded its business globally in the fuel market and won important championships, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the legendary Ford GT40. In 1968, it began its first partnership with McLaren in Formula 1, adorning the team’s cars in its iconic orange and light blue colors, resulting in seven victories and numerous podiums.
This partnership continued until the end of the 1973 season. In addition, Gulf was also present in Formula 1 with sponsorship of the Brabham team in 1969 and Tyrrell Racing in 1974.
After almost half a century, Gulf returned to the sport in 2020, again with McLaren. This agreement involved the supply of Gulf lubricants and fuel optimized for high-performance engines, as well as a beautiful livery that illustrated the British team’s cars during the 2021 Monaco GP, with driver Lando Norris taking the podium.
The current partnership between Gulf and Williams Racing
From the beginning of this year, Gulf began a new partnership with Williams. The aim of the agreement is to bring sports fans closer together than ever before. At the Singapore, Japan and Qatar Awards, fans had the opportunity to choose the 2023 commemorative painting through an online vote, symbolizing this closeness between the brands and their audience.
The sponsorship has already brought major changes to the team, which seeks to reinvent itself and evolve to return to the glories of the past. With the arrival of James Vowles, Pat Fry and the talent of its main driver, Alexander Albon, the Grove team has the right recipe to prosper, not only in the Brazilian GP at Interlagos, but also in the next stages and seasons.
Gulf in Brazil
For fans, in addition to following Williams and Gulf in training, Sprint Race and racing — whether at the racetrack, in the special coverage broadcast by Band or in paid F1 Pro streaming —, they will also have the chance to refuel their vehicles at gas stations from the renowned brand. Gulf’s partnership goes beyond motorsport, arriving in Brazil alongside Fit Combustíveis, the largest fuel distributor for white flag stations on the Rio-São Paulo axis.
With ambitious plans to open more than 200 licensed Gulf brand stations by 2024 and with investments of more than R$700 million, those passionate about speed can trust in the brand that, over the years, has helped to further promote the main motorsport categories in the world, with the reliability of products and chapters marked in history.
