PPG automotive refinish technology reduces the weight of Williams Martini racers and helps drivers reduce lap times

With the 2018 FIA Formula One World Championship just around the corner, PPG and Williams Martini Racing are gearing up to mark 15 years of partnership. PPG has served as Williams' official paint supplier since 2003 and has worked closely with the team to develop durable, lightweight and glare-resistant automotive coatings for the team's Formula One cars.

PPG colours help team to win "The world of Formula One racing is the ideal place to showcase our advanced coatings technology and our commitment to solving our customers' challenges. For example, the weight of a coating can dramatically impact a car's performance. The Williams team uses a PPG paint system that eliminates the need for an additional lacquer coat and reduces the weight added during the paint process by 48 percent. This technology is helping them win races," states Patricia Phountoucos, Manager, Communications and Branding, Refinish, EMEA

Best looking car on the grid Through the years, PPG has tested 36 different primer and combinations to find the perfect lightweight formula for Williams' racing cars. As part of its commitment to customer service and innovation, PPG also recently developed a semi-matte finish specifically for racing cars to reduce glare from the brighter and lighter colours that are replacing traditional high gloss finishes.

"The high-definition PPG coatings we apply to our Formula One car are highly regarded and more important than ever before. PPG's assistance and innovation in developing lightweight coatings is of significant value to us. Lighter cars mean faster lap times. We also think the coatings make us the best looking car on the grid

" says Paddy Lowe, Chief Technical Officer, Williams Martini Racing.