Petronas develops own F1 fuel.
Sauber sponsors and Malaysian national oil and gas corporation Petronas has announced that it is currently developing its own Formula One fuel for the Swiss team ahead of the 2003 season.
The programme was initiated in January this year, with five of Petronas' own fuel engineers working intensively in collaboration with their colleagues at Sauber Engineering. Prior to the fuel programme, Petronas had successfully developed a lubricant for the demanding Ferrari V10 engine in 2000.
Sauber sponsors and Malaysian national oil and gas corporation Petronas has announced that it is currently developing its own Formula One fuel for the Swiss team ahead of the 2003 season.
The programme was initiated in January this year, with five of Petronas' own fuel engineers working intensively in collaboration with their colleagues at Sauber Engineering. Prior to the fuel programme, Petronas had successfully developed a lubricant for the demanding Ferrari V10 engine in 2000.
"We are optimistic that we will be able to achieve similar success to the Syntium lubricant project," says Dr Hamzah Abdul Hamid, general manager for special projects, corporate planning and development department at Petronas.
"Within Formula One, fuel components are strictly controlled by the FIA and we have to work within a very limited set of parameters. Nevertheless, we are confident that we will be able to produce a fuel that not only complies with the rules, but will also contribute towards improving the performance of the Sauber Petronas F1 cars."
The progress of the fuel development programme has been very encouraging, with positive results from laboratory and track tests. By acquiring technical competency in advanced fuel technology, Petronas hopes to enrich its technology-based capabilities and to contribute further towards the growth of Malaysia's automotive industry.
