"FANTASTIC" FAIRUZ TO TEST LOTUS F1, SAYS FERNANDES

SEPANG (Malaysia), March 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Lotus Racing Team driver
Fairuz Fauzy has been tasked with testing the Lotus T127 in three free practice
sessions in the Bahrain Grand Prix.

"He will be testing...he will be the first guy to test the Lotus T127 in
Bahrain. He will be taking the car in the free practice. He has done an
absolutely superb job," team principal Tony Fernandes told a press conference at
KL International Airport (KLIA) before departing for Bahrain Friday.

He said, besides Bahrain, Fairuz would also be given a similar task at the
2010 Formula One (F1) World Championship in Australia and Sepang.

Singing Fairuz's praises, Fernandes expressed satisfaction with his
performance throughout the official testing, prior to the opening of World F1
Grand Prix season.

"I know Fairuz for a long time but we (only) got to become much closer
within the last six months.

"He is a fantastic role model and he is actually a role model for me, too.
He is calm...he is so determined and I think he would be a fantastic role model
for all Malaysians.

"He is very professional and very positive. I hope we will be able to make
his dream come true soon," said Fernandes.

Lotus Racing is one of the three new entries for the 19-leg championship
this year, alongside Virgin Racing and the Hispania F1 Racing.

USF1 were supposed to be the fourth new team, but they had to defer their
entry until next year after running into difficulties in raising funds.

"It will be a great day for Malaysia and a very exciting one. To be up there
alongside Ferrari, McLaren, Renault and Red Bull team. It will be fantastic.

"To be able to have our Malaysian flag on our car and hopefully, one day
'Negaraku' (the Malaysian national anthem) will be played...the dream is slowly
becoming a reality," added Fernandes.

He said it had been six months for Lotus Racing since the team gained entry
into the 2010 F1 World Championship, and was hopeful the team drivers would
prod uce some good results.

"Having two great drivers (Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen)...is a true
testament to the team itself. It shows that they believe in our ability to grow
and compete with the front runners.

"They (Trulli and Kovalainen) both sent me e-mail yesterday, and they noted
that they are very excited and very confident of getting the best out of the
car, although we are quite far away from the front runners at the moment," said
Fernandes.

Bahrain is hosting the season opening of 2010 F1 World Championship from
Friday, with the free practice sessions at the Shakir Circuit before the race
moves to Australia on March 28.
Sepang Circuit will host the third round of the 19-leg F1 race on April 4.
-- BERNAMA