1Malaysia F1 Team To Start Racing 2010

Malaysia will be represented in the Formula One World Championship starting next year. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced yesterday that the International Automobile Federation (FIA) has accepted our very own 1Malaysia F1 team, which will be led by Lotus, the prestigious constructor who left F1 in 1994.

Of course, this F1 bid is really less about racing, and more about fostering national pride (hence the 1Malaysia slogan), as well as raising Malaysia's profile. “This is a meaningful development and I hope that it will further raise our country’s profile on the world stage,” Najib said.

After the withdrawal of Honda Racing from the F1 world, Force India and Panasonic Toyota Racing became the two remaining representatives from Asia. The 1Malaysia F1 team will make the third, although it will be the first to be based outside Europe.

To be designed, manufactured and tested locally, the F1 cars will be “Made-in-Malaysia, by Malaysians.” The entire technical and pit crew of around 200 personnel would be Malaysian, too, under the management of former Renault technical director Mike Gascoyne.

“Our F1 team will also have technical experts from outside Malaysia to ensure that we are ready to compete on the world’s most prestigious racing stage,” Najib said, adding that six drivers are currently shortlisted and the two finalised drivers would be announced by October 31.

Running an F1 team is an expensive undertaking, which is why the Government has roped in prominent businessmen including Naza Group CEO, S.M. Nasarudin S.M. Nasimuddin, and AirAsia CEO, Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes, as partners.