Real-world motivation: Students posing for a photo after the session with Wan Mohd Saifullah (inset).
WITH F1 being a sport of precision, human excellence and engineering go hand in hand in contributing to a team’s overall success, says Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One (MAMGP F1) trackside fluid engineer Wan Mohd Saifullah Wan Saudi.
Each part of the car, he explained, is meticulously designed to gain even the slightest advantage, which enables the team to compete at the highest level.
Wan Mohd Saifullah was addressing attendees at the PETRONAS Lubricants International “Success on the Fast Lane” session, part of an ongoing initiative to inspire university students with real-world insights from experts in the automotive and motorsport industries.
“Our role as trackside fluid engineers is crucial to ensuring peak engine performance.
“By conducting in-depth analyses of fluid data, we provide valuable insights to help the engineering team make informed decisions for enhanced performance.
“I take pride in offering my unique perspective and experience in a sport that welcomes capable individuals from diverse backgrounds in pushing boundaries of excellence,” he said, calling on students to pursue their passions with determination.
Held at the PETRONAS Leadership Centre in Selangor on Oct 4, the session drew some 150 automotive and engineering students from local universities, including Universiti Teknologi Mara, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, German-Malaysian Institute, Taylor’s University, and Monash University.
The session concluded with a Q&A segment, giving students the opportunity to ask Wan Mohd Saifullah their burning questions and gain valuable career advice.
Marcus Yeoh from Taylor’s University said it was “amazing” to hear how Wan Mohd Saifullah made the switch from electrical engineering to chemical engineering.
“I also learnt how even one of the best F1 teams in the world, made up 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,” he said.
Haris Danial from Monash Motorsport Malaysia said he had the chance to learn from Wan Mohd 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,” he said.
The previous “Success on the Fast Lane” session featured F1 driver George Russell.
“Success on the Fast Lane” is an extension of the PETRONAS Lubricants International “Shaping Industry-ready Graduates” series, which began in 2021 as an effort to prepare industry-ready graduates for careers in the automotive sector, particularly crucial for Malaysian students who spent over a year learning virtually during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The series has consistently featured top professionals in the automotive field with relevant experience, equipping the next generation of professionals with industry insights.
