Riad Asmat From Proton Is New 1Malaysia F1 Racing Team CEO

SEPANG, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- He may be young, petite and standing at only 5' 4" but newly-named 1Malaysia Formula 1 team chief executive officer Riad Asmat has the right credentials to take the country's challenge in the world's foremost sporting race a notch higher.

Riad, 38, who was attached to the Proton managing director's office as general manager prior to this appointment, has the corporate experience and motorsports acument to do justice to the team and the country.

His appointment as CEO was announced on Friday by the team's principal Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes at a media briefing.

A crucial ingredient to push Riad in such an endeavor is his passion for sports which has been a major factor throughout his career.

Soon after graduating from Western Michigan University in the United States with a Masters Degree in Organisation Communication, Riad joined Nike, the world's premier sportswear company, at its public relations division based in Malaysia.

Riad's interest in motorsports developed further when he joined the Sepang International Circuit and subsequently Proton in 2006.

A profile note handed out at the briefing said Riad's expertise and vast experience in operations had resulted in Proton's motorsports programme being developed to a fairly successful level.

He has his work cut out for him, namely, to steer the full-fledged Malaysian team and make an impact in the Formula One racing and in the process generate greater patriotic interest.

All these are also expected to generate economic spillovers for the country via endorsements, promotions and advertising.

"My friends use to make fun of my height. They even call me Napoleon," said Riad, referring to Napoleon Bonaparte, the short and fat but fiesty French emperor.

A father of three, Riad told reporters today he had to convince his wife who was sceptical about him taking up the new position.

"I managed to convince her. I've been part of this project from the beginning and now I've to get down to work as CEO and turn the outfit into a profitable team," he said.

Tony said: " Riad's expertise, a good blend of both corporate experience and motorsports knowledge, will provide the dynamic and success-oriented leadership the Malaysia team requires."

The team will make its debut at the FIA Formula 1 World Championship 2010 season.

Tony was however silent about the drivers for the Malaysia Team.

"You know we are a low cost team," he said, adding that the team had identified the drivers it wanted but the picture as to who are they would be clearer only after the next F1 race in Abu Dhabi and by end of next month.

Rumours are rife among racing circles that Toyota's Italian driver Jarno Trulli will race for the Malaysian team next year.

"We are looking for potentially four drivers. Malaysian Fairuz Fauzy, who has yet to be confirmed, has got the fire in him but it is up to the experts to decide if he is ready," said Tony.

When pressed further, he said the race was not just about the drivers but the whole team, the engineers, the people and the car.

"So, let's not be too focused on the drivers. The real success is when we have a Malaysian driving for a Ferrari team or any other team," he added.

-- BERNAMA