FERNANDES SATISFIED WITH LOTUS RACING PERFORMANCE SO FAR

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) -- Although it failed to shine in the Petronas Malaysian Formula One (F1) Grand Prix in Sepang recently, Lotus Racing Team principal Tony Fernandes is satisfied with the team's achievements so far.

The team had actually achieved its target and that included being
the best among the new teams and to have at least one car making the finishing
line in each race, he said.

"For a team that started seven months ago, I think we are doing well in the
season so far.

"In the last four races we have a least one car finishing the race. In fact,
in Bahrain we had two cars (finishing the race)," he told a news conference
here Monday.

He said the team was its car's performance, particularly in the hydraulic
and the gear box area, to get ready for the next race in Barcelona.


Fernandes said Lotus Racing was also planning to develop its own technology
and research and development centre based in this country at the Sepang
International Circuit (SIC).

The centre, which would include a world-class F1 wind tunnel, was
expected to become the region's top motorsports centre, he said.

"The centre will also offer opportunities to talents from Malaysia and
around the region who dream of working in the F1 industry.

"It's also in line with our long-term commitment to F1 and Malaysia."

He said an F1 museum had also been proposed for construction adjacent to the
centre.

-- BERNAMA