Axalta Coating Systems announced that its paints helped carry Nico Rosberg, driver of the Formula one team MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS, and Jimmie Johnson of NASCAR to victory at their recent championship season finale wins on the Formula One and NASCAR circuits. Axalta states that its innovative automotive coatings contribute to race car performance and aerodynamics, as well as maximize the visibility of both team and driver brands with colorful designs and effects.
“We congratulate Jimmie and Nico on their tremendous accomplishments this year,” said Axalta Chairman and CEO Charlie Shaver. “The tough environments of the racetrack are the ultimate test of the endurance and durability of our coatings. The technology that stands behind the coating performance we deliver on the track is found in Axalta coatings sold around the world for multiple vehicle and industrial applications.”
Rosberg clinched the 2016 FIA Formula One World Drivers’ Championship1 in the last race of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the United Arab Emirates on November 27th. As an Official Team Supplier, Spies Hecker, one of the global refinish brands of Axalta, is responsible for the paint of the high-impact, instantly-recognizable livery on this season’s Silver Arrow: the Mercedes F1 W07 Hybrid car.
“It’s important, of course, that the race cars look great on the track and that logos of our partners are displayed clearly,” said Andrew Moody, head of Paint and Graphics, MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. “What is also exceptionally critical for us is the weight of the paint, the speed of its application and the reliability of the entire system. And by that I mean, being used over and over again, all season, season after season, with the same great results. Spies Hecker delivers that for us. We don’t have time to accept anything less than perfect.”
On the NASCAR circuit, Johnson’s historic seventh Sprint Cup Series championship was won in the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS painted with Axalta’s coatings. From the beginning of Johnson’s journey at Hendrick Motorsports to becoming an iconic future NASCAR Hall of Fame driver, Axalta’s products have proven time and time again to withstand the tough conditions of NASCAR racing, and it was no different at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 20th when Johnson clinched the championship by winning the season’s final race.
Axalta’s logo is displayed prominently on the B post of Johnson’s No. 48 car for every race of the season. As a partner and paint supplier to 12-time Cup champion Hendrick Motorsports for 24 years, including sponsorship of four-time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon and 26 career victory winner Dale Earnhardt Jr., Axalta takes great pride in supporting Johnson’s victories. Axalta says that Johnson has proven to be a great ambassador for them, and his passion for perfection helps drive the company to be a better partner through research and development of lighter, more durable and more brilliant coatings for his No. 48 race car.
“The people at Axalta have been tremendous partners of Hendrick Motorsports for many years, and we’re proud to use their paint on our race cars and equipment,” said Doug Duchardt, general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. “Incredible resources go into research and development for Axalta coatings, and the benefits are evident in our application with regard to both appearance and performance. We look forward to many more years of working together.”
