Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced that Malaysia will participate in the FIA Formula One world championship through its own racing team - 1Malaysia F1 Team, starting from 2010.
The 1Malaysia F1 Team, a joint venture between the government and private sectors in the country, will participate in the F1 race beginning next year, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced Tuesday.
The Prime Minister said the project involved the combined expertise of Proton and Lotus with the support of the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM), Naza Motor and Air Asia.
Najib, who is also the Finance Minister I, told reporters when making the announcement at the Finance Ministry that leading corporate figures such as Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun and S.M Nasarudin S.M Nasimuddin were also involved in the initiative.
"This is the Malaysian team. The car was designed at the SIC, manufactured at the SIC, tested at the SIC and the car is Malaysian-made. Even the pit stop team consists of Malaysians," he said.
He said the 1Malaysia Team would identify a suitable Malaysian driver, adding that the project could lift the country's image in the international arena. Najib said the FIA had received Malaysia's application to participate in the World F1 Championship next year.
Asked on the budget and the total investment by the government, Najib said: "The Malaysian government's investment is through Proton".
Najib said the project was not a waste because it would provide a strong marketing element to the country when it competed in the F1 championship.
"If we want to export the Proton, we must ensure that the brand is strong. There is a strong element of marketing.
It is not merely a sporting activity because there is an element of marketing for Proton and Malaysia while at the same time, the Air Asia and Naza brand names can be popularised," he said.
Najib said the creation of the team is a "natural progression" since Malaysia has hosted a leg of the F1 race since 1999 and national oil company Petronas has been a sponsor of BMW Sauber team for the last four years.
Engines will be provided by Lotus which reached an engine supply deal with Cosworth, transmissions by Xtrac and aerodynamics by FondTech. Fondtech is run by former Ferrari aerodynamicist Jean-Claude Migeot. In the future, an R&D, manufacturing and technical facility will be built at the Sepang International Circuit.
Team principle will be Tony Fernandes, owner of the Air Asia airline. The team technical director is Mike Gascoyne, who held the same role with Force India, Toyota, Renault and Jordan.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak held a news conference Tuesday to outline details of what was called the 1Malaysia F1 team.
"The 1Malaysia F1 team is a government and private sector initiative combining the collaborative experience of Proton and Lotus, coupled with world class expertise," a Malaysian government statement said ahead of the news conference.
Prime Minister Najib Razak said the team would integrate Malaysian technical and pit crew, with the future design, research and development, manufacturing and testing conducted near the Malaysian capital. The driving lineup is set to be announced by Oct. 31 from a short list of six candidates.
source: bernama.com ; paultan.org ; news.yahoo.com
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