By SAUBER PETRONAS
September 24 2004

PETRONAS, Malaysia’s oil and gas conglomerate, today proudly announces its involvement in the inaugural 2004 SINOPEC Chinese Formula One Grand Prix to be held here from 24 to 26 September. Thousands of spectators flocking to the newly completed state-of-the-art Shanghai International Circuit and millions more around the world watching the prestigious sporting event on television would be able to see PETRONAS’ name prominently displayed along the race track. Apart from this trackside signage sponsorship, PETRONAS is also hosting its guests and business partners at the hospitality suite at the Circuit.

PETRONAS had earlier assisted in promoting the Chinese Grand Prix by taking up the title sponsorship of the 2004 PETRONAS Shanghai International Race Festival (SIRF) held from 16 to 18 July 2004. The SIRF featured races for various classes of cars on the streets of Shanghai with the German Touring Car series, Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM), as its main highlight. Adding to this excitement were demonstrations by the SAUBER PETRONAS Formula One team, Foggy PETRONAS Racing and PETRONAS EON Racing teams on their respective Formula One, Superbike and Rally race machines.

PETRONAS’ involvement in these high profile events are expected to further boost its brand in China, paving the way for PETRONAS’ deeper entry into the vast Chinese petroleum products market. Its involvement in various motor sports has also allowed PETRONAS to gain cutting edge technology to produce breakthrough products such as fuel and lubricants for both domestic and international markets.

The Malaysian oil and gas conglomerate’s involvement in Formula One dates back to the Monaco Grand Prix in 1995 when it began sponsoring the SAUBER PETRONAS Formula One team. Up to now, the partnership with SAUBER has materialised into a joint venture technology company, SAUBER PETRONAS Engineering AG, as well as the supply of Formula One engines, fuel and lubricant to the SAUBER PETRONAS Formula One team. In Malaysia, PETRONAS is also the title sponsor of the PETRONAS Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix held at the Sepang F-1 Circuit since 1999.

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