Chinese wheels to scorch the F1 track from 2018

A worker makes alloy wheel at a CITIC Dicastal Co Ltd plant in Qinhuangdao, Hebei province. [Photo/Xinhua]

China-made wheels are about to be used by Williams Martini Racing in Formula One in the 2018 season, which will be the first time that Chinese products are used at the highest class of single-seat auto racing.

CITIC Dicastal Co Ltd, wholly owned by CITIC Group, has joined hands with Williams Martini Racing to research and develop light-weight wheels, and their innovative products will appear in the Formula One in the 2018 season after passing technical tests this year.

"F1 racing represents the highest level in automobile technology. We are pleased to see that the innovation-driven growth of CITIC Dicastal over the past 29 years has won the recognition of such an established engineering company. We will carry on technical innovation in pursuit of more impressive performances in F1," Wang Jiong, vice-chairman and CEO of CITIC Group, said on Sunday.

As a symbol of their technical cooperation, CITIC Group's logo appeared on the chassis of the new Williams racing car during the recently concluded 2017 Chinese Grand Prix.

"Formula One represents the highest standard for car manufacturing, and the parts used represent a delicate balance between lightness and strength," said Wang Yongning, CEO of CITIC Dicastal.

In its technical partnership with Williams, CITIC Dicastal's wheels had undergone vigorous research and development with Williams Martini Racing's input, said Wang.

A three-year technological cooperation agreement was reached between CITIC Dicastal and Williams Martini Racing in July 2016, and the two sides agreed to launch joint research and development, testing and application of wheel products during the F1.

Formed in 1977, Williams is one of the world's leading racing teams. Claire Williams, deputy team principal and commercial director of Williams, said: "CITIC Dicastal's dedication to engineering excellence perfectly matches our own and we look forward to continuing our work together."

Wang Jiong said that the technical cooperation could further lead to additional partnerships between Chinese enterprises and Williams in sectors including engineering services and healthcare.

CITIC Dicastal has become the world's leading manufacturer of aluminum wheels, producing high quality, light-weight wheels.