We joined our friends from PETRONAS in Turin, Italy, for the opening of their brand-new $60 million Global Research & Technology (R&T) centre to find out how they're accelerating the future and what it means for the team...
NEWS: Breaking New Ground at PETRONAS R&T Centre Opening
PETRONAS revealed what will soon be its global R&T hub
The team was out in force on Wednesday in Turin for the showcasing of PETRONAS' new R&T centre, with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas joined by Toto Wolff and Andy Cowell at the state-of-the-art facility.
PETRONAS revealed what will soon be its global R&T hub and latest centre of excellence - home to automotive and technology testing capabilities and expertise.
The facility will play a significant part in the development of fuels for the next generation of road car engines, using technology tested and proven on the race track through its partnership with the team.
PETRONAS is responsible for the design, development and delivery of the Fluid Technology Solutions (FTS) that have helped power the team to four consecutive Drivers' and Constructors' titles.
'All of these successes have been supported by PLI here in Turin'
"This event brings together many of the most exciting strands of PLI's development and showcases them in what we believe is now the most advanced R&T centre of its kind in our industry," said Giuseppe D'Arrigo, Group Chief Executive Officer of Petronas Lubricants International (PLI).
"As a company, PLI is dedicated to moving the world with better, more efficient fluid technology solutions. Our success in achieving that goal leads to the success of our customers and partners, which is exemplified by Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport's tally of four consecutive Constructors' and Drivers' Championship titles.
"All of these successes have been supported by PLI here in Turin, where the most technologically rigorous sporting series in the world acts as another laboratory for our technical development."
'Our mission is mirrored by PLI's new Global R&T Centre in Turin'
Speaking at the event, Team Principal & CEO Toto Wolff said: "PETRONAS demonstrates through Formula One that it is a world leader in the global fluids industry - and this new facility reflects the scale of the company's ambitious development programme.
"After visiting this state-of-the-art facility in Turin, and meeting the talented scientists who will be working here, it's clear how committed PETRONAS is to investing in an even brighter future through research and technology.
"As a racing team, we are responsible for developing the next generation of technologies for the world's leading automotive manufacturer - and our mission is mirrored by PLI's new Global R&T Centre in Turin."
Dato Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir, PETRONAS Vice President of Downstream Marketing, added: "FTS is the cornerstone of the technology that enables our partners like the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport team to maximize their winning potential every time they go out on the track.
"Our track-to-road engineering has been mutually beneficial for both PETRONAS and Mercedes in developing products for their customers."
'PETRONAS is a central pillar of our team'
Commenting on the facility, Lewis said: "It's been years in the making so it's great to get a feel for how this amazing facility is coming to life. PETRONAS is a central pillar of our team and every success that we earn has been achieved together.
"It is very important to place the achievements that we make on the track into the bigger picture, and this new facility represents the depth of technology which is the lifeblood that powers our cars."
Valtteri added: "PETRONAS' new Global Research and Technology Centre is about developing new technology solutions that will take us further, and do so with even greater awareness of our responsibility to use energy in efficient ways."
It's an impressive facility and a major step forward for the development of Fluid Technology Solutions, which will be felt both on the roads and the race tracks in the near future.