Malaysian F1 Team On Schedule For February Test At Sepang

SEPANG, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- The preparation for Malaysia's F1 car debut is on schedule and the car will be ready for planned pre-season testing at the Sepang circuit here in February.

Team boss Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said the first model being constructed in Norfolk, England, was three days ahead of progress and headed for wind tunnel testing.

"We have assembled the engine, gearbox and done the crash test. The machines will be at the Sepang Circuit in February for pre-season testing and will be on the grid at the Bahrain race," he said.

The team recently signed an agreement with Bridgestone, the official F1 tyre supplier, which will provide slick Potenza tyres to all teams for the 2010 championship.

Fernandes said the official name of the team was Lotus F1 Racing as endorsed by the Federation of International Automobile (FIA) in September.

He also announced the appointment of Riad Asmat as the chief executive officer (CEO) of 1Malaysia F1 Team Sdn Bhd (1MF1T).

Prior to his appointment, Riad, 38, was attached to the Proton Holdings Berhad managing director's office.

1MF1T will have its own office at the welcome centre at the main entrance of the Sepang circuit which hosts the F1 Malaysian Grand Prix.

The team will move from its current base in Norfolk, the base for the now Malaysian-owned Lotus Cars, once the headquarters here is completed.

Lotus Cars is currently owned by Proton Holdings Berhad which took over the British carmaker in 1994.

-- BERNAMA