Laguna Beach, California (March 23, 2011)— SKF Group, the leading global supplier of products, solutions and services within the roller bearings, seals, mechatronics, services and lubrication systems, has joined with American Michael Lewis for his 2011 Formula 3 Italia program as an associate sponsor.

“I am looking forward to representing SKF Bearings this year and to promote the SKF brand by showcasing the SKF logo on my PREMA Powerteam Dallara Formula 3 Italia car,” said Michael Lewis. “Formula 3 Italia is a very competitive series and it offers all my sponsors excellent exposure and promotion via national television broadcasts and onsite at the great venues where we are going to be racing this season.”

SKF Bearings markets its products worldwide and is dedicated to the motorsports market as SKF engineers provide solutions to racing customers and racing equipment manufacturers throughout the world.

“In the corporate spirit of ‘moving innovation,’ we are very pleased to have our SKF brand represented by Michael Lewis and to be able to be involved with the Formula 3 Italia series and support Michael with our bearing products,” added Paolo Andolfi, SKF Bearing racing unit manager.

As Michael prepares for the start of the Formula 3 Italia season, he is currently participating in pre-season testing. In the past two weeks he tested at Imola and Vallelunga, and today he tested at the Mugello Circuit where he has been consistently at the top of the speed charts.

The first Formula 3 Italia event takes place May 15 at the Franciacorta Circuit near Bergamo in Italy.