Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas today opened PETRONAS’ new $60 million Global Research & Technology (R&T) centre in Turin, Italy. Acting as the global hub for PETRONAS Lubricants International’s (PLI) R&T activity, the centre will be home to PLI’s automotive and industrial technology testing capabilities and expertise.
PLI is responsible for the design, development and delivery of the Fluid Technology Solutions (FTS) that have powered Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport to four consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles.
Lewis and Valtteri were joined by Toto Wolff and Andy Cowell at the state-of-the-art facility, which 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.
Turin is the latest R&T centre of excellence that PLI has established around the world, joining the $100 million investment in a lubricant blending plant and satellite R&T centre for motorcycle lubricants at Patalganga in Maharashtra, India, and its 50 per cent stake in the Guangxi Nanning Yuchai PETRONAS Lube Co Ltd Research & Development (R&D) Centre in China’s Guangxi province.
PLI’s global business aspiration is anchored on technology as a fundamental differentiator to drive sustainable growth, by focusing on delivering innovative products. The role of its new centre in Turin will be to introduce new technologies, create world-class infrastructure and develop industry-leading talent as it diversifies its product portfolio to strengthen its global position in the fluids industry.
