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At an event dedicated to innovation, mentorship and youth empowerment, Shell and Scuderia Ferrari HP hosted an exclusive trackside engagement with a select group of Shell Eco-marathon students from Qatari universities. The event, held at Lusail International Circuit ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, offered students a rare opportunity to meet Scuderia Ferrari HP drivers -- Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton -- and gain firsthand insight into the world of high-performance engineering.The initiative was part of Shell’s ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of energy innovators and engineers, and it highlighted the shared values between Shell and Scuderia Ferrari HP in championing education, sustainability and pursuit of technical excellence. Throughout the visit, the drivers took time to connect with the students, learn about their projects, and share insights from their own journeys in motorsport.The students, from the Qatar Technical Secondary School for Girls, were selected for their outstanding contributions to energy-efficient vehicle design and their passion for engineering excellence during the 2025 Shell Eco-marathon programme in Qatar. The engagement provided a unique opportunity for them to explore the parallels between their work and the cutting-edge technology used in Formula 1.The engagement began with informal introductions and light conversation about racing in Qatar, the drivers’ personal journeys and the students’ aspirations. The group then moved to Shell’s Trackside Laboratory, where a Shell Technical Analyst provided a behind-the-scenes look at how Shell’s race fuel and lubricant technologies support Scuderia Ferrari HP. The students were encouraged to ask questions and compare the lab’s operations with their own experiences in Shell Eco-marathon, sparking insightful discussions on chemistry, data analysis and performance optimisation. The final stage of the visit took place in the Scuderia Ferrari HP garage, where Charles and Lewis gave the students a personal tour of the F1 car and its engineering systems. The students were invited to explore the car’s aerodynamics, materials and telemetry, drawing parallels with their own ultra-efficient vehicles. The drivers took time to explain key components and answer technical questions, creating a truly immersive learning experience.Speaking about the event, Dennis de Munck, Head of University partnerships, Ferrari, said: “The long-standing partnership with Shell and the Shell Eco-marathon reflects Ferrari’s core principles: learning through real-world challenges that blend science, technology, and teamwork. Shell Eco-marathon gives participants the chance to test their skills in a competitive environment that builds both technical expertise and professional readiness. Congratulations to all Shell Eco-marathon participants — grazie!”The event also served as a prelude to the Shell Eco-marathon mileage challenge, which will welcome teams from all over Asia, Africa and the Middle East to Qatar. As Shell continues to invest in youth development and sustainable energy solutions, this engagement underscores the country’s growing role as a hub for innovation and education in the region.“This was far more than a meet-and-greet. It was a meaningful exchange of ideas, inspiration and technical insight,” said Abdulrahman Al Khawaga – Communications Manager at Qatar Shell. “Bringing together our students with the drivers and engineers from Scuderia Ferrari HP creates powerful learning moments that help shape the future of sustainable mobility and innovation.”About Shell Eco-marathonShell Eco-marathon is a global academic programme that challenges students to design, build and drive the most energy-efficient vehicles possible, where they compete to travel the furthest distance on a limited amount of energy. It encourages innovation in mobility and fosters practical engineering skills, teamwork and sustainability awareness among young people. 

As part of Qatar Shell’s Tafawoq programme, a group of energetic students from Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) and Education City campuses came together to experience the transformative journey of the Shell NXplorers Pro programme.NXplorers Pro is Shell’s advanced educational programme to equip future leaders with practical tools for solving complex global challenges. It blends systems thinking, scenario planning and theory of change, collectively known as NXthinking, to help participants explore problems, envision sustainable futures and develop actionable solutions.Hosted at HBKU, the NXplorers Pro programme challenged students to tackle global issues, imagine bold futures and develop actionable solutions for sustainable impact. Their energy and creativity highlighted the power of experiential learning to shape future changemakers.Dr Ala al-Fuqaha, associate provost, Teaching and Learning from HBKU, said: “At HBKU, we are proud to continue our well-established collaboration with Qatar Shell and its Tafawoq programme, of which we are a founding partner. NXplorers Pro aligns with our commitment to empowering the next generation of problem-solvers as they prepare to address critical challenges of our times. The enthusiasm and creativity demonstrated by our students reaffirm the importance of such experiential learning opportunities.”Bader al-Jaidah, director of Tafawoq, said: “By engaging with universities, we are building a bridge that helps students gain a clearer understanding of how industry operates before they begin their professional journeys. Our enduring partnership with HBKU in Qatar highlights the transformative power of collaboration in shaping a resilient and sustainable future.”Pia Ceasar, a graduate student at HBKU, who participated in the programme shared: “What I found most impressive about the programme was how seamlessly it combined deep insight with practical application. The experience sharpened my critical thinking and equipped me with powerful frameworks and tools to structure ideas and navigate complex challenges in both professional and personal contexts.”Tafawoq is a centre of excellence in project management, dedicated to developing professionals in Qatar and the wider region for major investment projects that support the Qatar National Vision 2030.

QatarEnergy has entered into an agreement with Shell to acquire a 27% participating interest in the North Cleopatra block offshore Egypt.Under the terms of the agreement, which is subject to approval by the Egyptian government, Shell will retain a 36% participating interest as operator. The other participating interest holders are Chevron (27%) and Tharwa Petroleum Company (10%).Commenting on this agreement, HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida al-Kaabi,the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, said: “We are pleased to secure this additional exploration acreage, which further expands our upstream exploration activities in the Arab Republic of Egypt.”Minister al-Kaabi added, “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and our partners in the block for their valued support and cooperation. We look forward to working together and delivering our exploration objectives.”The North Cleopatra block is located offshore Egypt in the frontier Herodotus basin and is north and adjacent to the North El-Dabaa block, where QatarEnergy holds a 23% participating Interest. The North Cleopatra block covers an area of over 3,400 square kilometers in water depths of up to 2,600 meters.

Following the success of the 2025 Shell Eco-marathon Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Competition, Shell is proud to announce that it will once again host the event in Qatar in 2026, followed by the first-ever Shell Eco-marathon Global Championship in 2027.The 2025 edition, held at the Lusail International Circuit, marked the first time in the programme’s 40-year history that the event was hosted in the Middle East. The competition brought together over 60 student teams from 12 countries, showcasing cutting-edge innovations in energy-efficient vehicle design and reinforcing Qatar’s role as a regional hub for sustainability and STEM excellence.“Hosting the Shell Eco-marathon is more than a competition. It’s a platform for innovation, education, and global collaboration,” said Rob Maxwell – Managing Director and Chairperson of Shell Companies Qatar. “We are honoured to continue this journey in Qatar, where the spirit of ingenuity and sustainability thrives.”Both the 2026 and 2027 events will continue be held under the patronage of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, and in collaboration with the Qatar Auto Museum. This continued partnership reflects Qatar’s deep commitment to empowering youth, advancing sustainable mobility, and supporting the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. “At Qatar Museums, we are committed to nurturing creativity and innovation, especially among the next generation,” said Mohammed Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Museums. “The Qatar Auto Museum Vehicle Design Award, first launched at the 2025 Shell Eco-marathon, embodies this mission by celebrating sustainable design and providing young people in Qatar with a platform to become future innovators and leaders. Through our collaboration with Shell, we are inspiring youth to think boldly about mobility, sustainability, and design excellence. This initiative also forms part of Evolution Nation, our 18-months long campaign of Qatar’s cultural journey, where creativity and innovation serve as powerful drivers of progress and a vision for the future.”The 2027 Shell Eco-marathon Global Championship will bring together top-performing teams from across the world, competing in multidisciplinary challenges that test not only engineering prowess but also creativity, collaboration, and environmental stewardship. Shell Eco-marathon continues to inspire the next generation of energy leaders by challenging students to design, build, and drive the most energy-efficient vehicles possible. With Qatar as host, the programme enters a new era of global impact and regional pride.