Malaysian-led Consortium To Form a Malaysian Formula One Team?

AirAsia founder and CEO Datuk Tony Fernandes is said to be part of a Malaysian-led consortium eager to bid for a spot on the grid.

While AirAsia is currently serving its three-year contract with AT&T Williams, Fernandes is said to be acting on his own capacity this time around. Sepang International Circuit chairman Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir’s name has been said to be part of the consortium as well.

Petronas and Fernandes are apparently joining forces to form a team led by several former Lotus personnel. Oddly, the team will be based out of Singapore.

“This whole situation is very strange and complex now. I don’t understand why would they (Malaysians) want to do this outside Malaysia. And in Singapore? This would surely anger some people,” an F1 insider based in Europe said.

The team could find it difficult to get a slot in the series with such a short time frame. None are willing to comment on the matter, stressing on the “sensitivity involved”.

Talks have it that the Malaysian consortium has the ‛blessings’ from the government and that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is expected to make an announcement on the matter. None are willing to take the limelight over the said announcement.

Among the names bandied about in the pit lane to help the Malaysian project include former Ferrari Global Brand Development director Dany Bahar and former F1 technical director Mike Gascoyne.

Bahar is now the CEO of Lotus while Gascoyne is with MGI Ltd. MGI are working closely with Litespeed GP who are interested in joining the series under ‛Team Lotus’.

Petronas could be starring at a new team next season after BMW Sauber decided to pull out from F1. Founder Peter Sauber, who holds a minority stake in the team, blasted BMW’s decision to pull out and is now trying to set up a Hinwil-based team possibly powered by a Ferrari engine.

Top officials in Petronas are close to Sauber and many are not surprised if Petronas will support Sauber’s move. Also, many have not ruled out the possibility of Sauber, Petronas and even the Malaysian-led consortium working together for a common cause.

source: mmail.com.my

Posted in: Petronas, Sepang SIC