F1 Centre Costing Rm50m To Rm60m Ready In 2 Years

[Mark H]

THE Formula One (F1) technology centre, to be built in Sepang at a cost of RM50mil to RM60mil, will be ready in two years, says Lotus F1 team principal Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes.

 

“We are now designing the technology centre in Malaysia. It is expected to start construction next year,” he said.

 

Fernandes, who is also group chief executive officer of AirAsia Bhd, expects the centre to generate income from its operations.

 

This was because the planned wind tunnel could be used by carmakers in Asia and businesses could hold their conventions at the Sepang premises while having the opportunity to learn about F1, he said.

 

“There is a lot of scepticism on this venture, instead of looking at the potential returns that can be derived.

 

“The technology centre is a business by itself as there is no F1 wind tunnel in Asia,” he said, adding that the business models adopted would be profitable.

 

Additionally, developing the centre here would significantly reduce the cost of running the team, compared with paying fees for wind tunnels in Europe.

 

Fernandes said it was important for Malaysia to move up the technology chain instead of just depending on manufacturing.

 

F1 was one such avenue as many advanced motoring technologies like hybrid was derived from the sport, he said.

 

As for potential drivers for the team, Fernandes said the preference would be to have an experienced European and a Malaysian driver.

 

“If not Malaysian, then Asean or Asian. The idea is to get an Asian experience in F1,” he said.

 

He added that 1Malaysia F1 Team Sdn Bhd, the company that owns Lotus F1 team, had received up to 7,200 job applications, indicating positive response to the venture.

 

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?f...mp;sec=business