PETRONAS TIES UP WITH MERCEDES IN FORMULA ONE

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has
inked a five-year agreement with major auto-manufacturer Mercedes, to become the
title partner to the Mercedes GP team, the reigning Formula One world champions.

The team will from 2010 be officially known as the Mercedes GP PETRONAS
Formula One Team.

The national oil and gas company, in a statement here said the partnership,
would allow related business arrangements with Mercedes that would support its
international business expansion efforts, particularly in the global lubricant
business.

The company said the exclusive rights as the title partner and
association with the premium, internationally-renowned Mercedes brand, will
further enhance PETRONAS and Malaysia’s ongoing global brand positioning
efforts.

Petronas would also be able to continue to leverage on the extensive
international exposure offered by the sport to grow its existing business
activities, it said.

The partnership also presents PETRONAS with the opportunity to utilise and
leverage on Mercedes’ long motor sport heritage to further supplement its talent
development initiatives, as part of the contribution towards the development of
Malaysia’s motorsports industry.

Beside Mercedes, the company will also continue to be the title sponsor of
the PETRONAS Malaysian F1 Grand Prix, which has proven to be an effective
platform to promote Malaysia on the global stage.

-- BERNAMA