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Saturday November 14, 2009

Malaysia's Lotus F1 team pass internal crash tests

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Lotus F1 Racing team have crossed a milestone in their preparation for their debut in the 2010 world championship season by passing internal crash tests for their F1 car.

Two tests – side impact and nose box – were conducted according to the Federation of International Automobile (FIA) requirements, according to a team statement.

In the nose box crash test, the majority of the nose was destroyed but the vertical white line which must remain intact after the impact was unscathed.

Official and mandatory FIA crash tests can only be carried out once the final chassis is completed.

The outcome of the internal tests represented a further boost for Lotus F1Racing’s ongoing technical development, the statement added.

The tests also meet the tight schedule for the team, who are preparing for the pre-season testing at the Sepang Circuit in February before entering the season-opener in Bahrain in March.

Lotus F1 Racing entry into the 2010 F1 World Championship was endorsed by the FIA in September.

Meanwhile, the team are said to be still seeking sponsorship to help them survive in their first season despite a tight budget.

Launched two months ago as a collaboration between the Malaysian government, who hold no equity in the team, and a trio of entrepreneurs, Lotus insisted they had the means to compete.

One of the team directors, Datuk Kamaruddin Meranun, said the company would look to attract investors from various corporate bodies, including government-linked companies (GLCs).

“What is wrong with asking for sponsors from GLCs like Petronas?” he said.

“If Petronas can sponsor a foreign F1 team, why should the national petroleum company not sponsor a local team?”

Malaysia’s state oil company was a long-time backer of the BMW-Sauber team.

Lotus’ start-up capital of around US$47mil is a fraction of Ferrari’s budget, estimated at between US$300mil and US$400mil.

However, Kamarudin insisted the team had a strategy to overcome their financial restrictions despite the recent departure of Toyota and BMW, following Honda’s exit last year.

Team principal Tony Fernandes’ ownership of Asia’s largest budget airline, AirAsia, would help lower the cost of moving equipment and crew members, he said, adding that foreign-based Malaysian engineers would also reduce bills.

“The (team) put up an advertisement to fill 225 posts, we received over 6,500 applications. Most of them are from Malaysian engineering experts currently working abroad.

“They are excited with the Malaysian-owned Lotus F1 Racing and are willing to work at a lower pay. This will enable us to lower the cost.” — Agencies

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