Santena, Italy
14.3.2018
Today is the big day: the Global Research & Technology Centre is being inaugurated
Today – In the “Year of Technology” – PETRONAS opens its Global Research & Technology Centre, the ultimate innovation cluster. March 14, 2018 – PLI’s and Mercedes-AMG’s managements, in front of the world’s media and of many VIP guests, have sealed the official opening of the centre.
“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.”
Giuseppe D’Arrigo - Group Chief Executive Officer di PLI
Sustainability, technology and success, in the partnership with Mercedes
There are no secrets behind the success of the collaboration between PETRONAS and Mercedes, but facts. The first is that PETRONAS has studied a technology of innovative products, able to lubricate the most powerful engine in the world. The second is that this engine is hybrid and marks a huge step towards sustainability.
The third is that this partnership has made it possible to achieve great victories.
“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.”
Giuseppe D’Arrigo - Group Chief Executive Officer, PLI
“FTS is the cornerstone of this 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”
Dato Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir - Vice President of Downstream Marketing, PETRONAS
The best drivers to the opening of our pole of excellence
The drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas couldn’t miss the grand opening of the Global Research & Technology Centre, and they attended the event as special guests.
The 4-time world champion Hamilton, with 3 titles obtained with Mercedes, has the primacy in his blood: he was the youngest driver to get into Formula 1 and, in his career, he got more pole position than any other driver (no less than 72).
Valtteri Bottas, his team-mate, who won the third place in the 2017 Formula 1 Championship, is a talented driver, protagonist of amazing comebacks and overtakes that held with bated breath fans all over the world.
The big entrance
The two drivers showed up in their own way, playing on the spectacular aspect of their job. Driving a Mercedes-AMG C-Class they appeared from a curve behind the Global Research & Technology Centre, going to reach the Formula 1 car located in front of the entrance of the centre.
Engine roars and…
Roar of engines and… After an opening speech held by PETRONAS and PLI’s managements, together with Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Motorsport, and Andy Cowell, Managing Director of Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains, the guests were welcomed by Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, before being surprised by an exciting performance.
In fact, Valtteri Bottas, got on the Formula 1 car bringing the engine to the top of its rev range. At the height of the acceleration, the tarp that was hiding the new Global Research & Technology Centre has slipped to the ground, revealing the structure.
“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”
Toto Wolff - Team Principal e CEO, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Motorsport
“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”
Lewis Hamilton - Driver, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Motorsport
Showroom Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Motorsport
·
The guests then entered the showroom of the new Global Research & Technology Centre, outfitted with the single-seaters, trophies and awards obtained by Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport.
The event highlighted the ways in which PETRONAS is mapping out a responsible and energy-efficient future as well as developing leading technological products, key to successful business and successful partnerships.
The development of oil and lubricants for the hybrid-powered Mercedes W09 EQ Power+ will be designed, tested and blended at the new Global R&T Centre. It will also be the home of product for next generation road car engines using technology proven on the race track.
“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”
Valtteri BottasDriver, Mercedes AMG PETRONAS Motorsport
The conference
A brief conference by Giuseppe D’Arrigo, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) PETRONAS, Dato ‘ Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir, VP Downstream Marketing, and Toto Wolff, Mercedes-AMG F1 Executive Director, to which also took part Hamilton and Bottas, was held to underline the importance of the new Global Research & Technology Centre and to outline PETRONAS and Mercedes future achievements.
In view of the beginning of the F1 World Championship. Many topics have been dealt with, among which: sustainability, technology and innovation.
Hamilton and Bottas visiting the labs
The two drivers, together with a Mercedes-AMG delegation, took part in a guided tour of the laboratories of the new Global Research & Technology Centre.
Today’s champions meet the talents of the future for Leaders in Training – Global Graduate Program
The Global Research & Technology Centre aims to become a hotbed of new talents. A recruitment plan is ready to guarantee new creative lymph from every sector: chemical, engineering, technological. Today, some PETRONAS interns had the occasion to meet the drivers. It was a meeting between the champions of today and the talents of tomorrow who will surely revolutionize the future of lubricants.
Photoshooting with the drivers
In order to celebrate the great opening of the Global Research & Technology Centre, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas posed for a souvenir photo in front of the new centre and next to their companion in so many adventures and successes, the Mercedes-AMG’s Motorsport Formula 1 racing car.