PETRONAS Lubricants International hosted its fifth ‘Success on the Fast Lane’ session with PETRONAS Trackside Fluid Engineer (PTFE) for the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One (MAMGP F1) team as part of its ongoing initiative to inspire university students with real-world insights from automotive and motorsport industry experts.

As the Title and Technical partner of the MAMGP F1 team, the PTFE team plays a key role in developing championship-winning formula through PETRONAS Fluid Technology Solutions™. The rigorous testing and analysis conducted at the F1 track provide valuable insights for the team, which will be applied to the products sold to everyday drivers on the road. 

At the session, Wan Mohd Saifullah Wan Saudi shared his experience as a trackside fluid engineer of the MAMGP F1 team, “With F1 being a sport of precision, human excellence and engineering go hand in hand in contributing to the overall success of the team. Each part of the car is meticulously designed to give us even the slightest advantage that enables us to compete at the highest level. 

“Our role as the PTFE is crucial to ensure peak engine performance. By conducting in-depth analyses of fluid data, we provide valuable insights to assist the engineering team to make informed decisions for enhanced performance. I take pride in being able to offer my unique perspective and experience in a sport that welcomes capable individuals from diverse backgrounds in pushing boundaries of excellence.”

Held at PETRONAS Leadership Centre in Bangi, approximately 150 automotive and engineering students from local universities attended the sharing session, namely from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti KL (UniKL), German-Malaysian Institute (GMI), Taylor’s University, and Monash University.

Marcus Yeoh, from Taylor’s University, shared a key insight he learned from the talk, “It’s amazing to hear Saifullah’s stories learning how he made the switch from Electrical Engineering to Chemical Engineering. I also learned how even one of the best F1 teams in the world, made of talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, must rely on each other's strengths and cover each other's weaknesses to become an even stronger unit.”

To further inspire the students, Saifullah shared his personal motivation and dedication, encouraging them to pursue their passions with determination. The session concluded with a Q&A segment, where students had the chance to ask Saifullah their burning questions and gain valuable career advice.

Haris Danial, from Monash Motorsport Malaysia, remarked, “During the session, I had the opportunity to learn from Saifullah about his biggest challenges and how he overcame them. As a student just starting my journey, it's easy to forget that reaching milestones often involves overcoming unique challenges.” 

‘Success on the Fast Lane’ is an extension of PETRONAS Lubricants International’s series kickstarted in 2021, titled ‘Shaping Industry-ready Graduates’. The series came about as part of the effort by the company to prepare industry-ready graduates in the automotive vocation, particularly crucial for Malaysian students who spent over a year learning virtually during the pandemic. 

The series has continuously featured top professionals in the automotive field with relevant experience to equip the next generation of working professionals with industry insights. The last session of ‘Success on the Fast Lane’ was catered for students across industries, with George Russell as the first F1 driver to be featured as a speaker for the series.

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