Nation's F1 car undergoes tests

The 1Malaysia F1 team car at the Lotus base in Norfolk, England.

Fitted with Cosworth engines and Xtrac gear

Plans for debut next year on schedule

1MALAYSIA, ONE CAR: The 1Malaysia F1 team car at the Lotus base in Norfolk, England. Fitted with Cosworth engines and Xtrac gear

ALL systems are in place for 1Malaysia F1 Team to make its debut next year.

In an exclusive interview with Malay Mail yesterday, team principal Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said the car is being tested at the Lotus base in Norfolk, England.

He said the test crash models were also being built.

Fernandes provided several exclusive pictures of the car being worked on.

“Everything is in place and we’re ahead of schedule. The car is being tested in the wind tunnel in Norfolk and things are looking great,” he said.

Fernandes, who is also the founder of low-cost airline AirAsia, confirmed the team had signed a deal with engine manufacturers Cosworth and gearbox designers Xtrac.

“Our cars will be powered by Cosworth engines while we’re working with Xtrac for the gearbox.”

Malay Mail also received the latest design progress report from MGI Motorsports. The report stated that meetings were held with bearing supplier (Cerobear) to define the front and rear wheel bearings to the design of the power steering rack and cooling system.

Fernandes, however, did not name potential drivers for the team, better known as Team Lotus in Europe.

“Yes we did interview two drivers during the Singapore GP (last month) but I can’t reveal the names,” he added.

Nevertheless, Toyota’s seasoned driver Jarno Trulli has been highly speculated to take the main seat with London-based Fairuz Fauzy being named the second driver. Trulli has a long working relationship with Lotus technical director Mike Gascoyne and the partnership could be revived.

Gascoyne is scheduled to make a pit-stop in Kuala Lumpur early next week.

“Gascoyne will help us sort out things here, including setting up the team’s base in Sepang. He will also start planning the Malaysian Motorsports Excellence Centre in Sepang.”

Fernandes said the team’s focus at the moment was ensuring the car and crew were ready for the 2010 season.

Meanwhile, there were about 6,500 applications for various positions with the F1 team — ranging from technical to human resource.