An interesting turn of event for F1 as new teams joining in even when bigger teams are exiting. Smaller leaner teams may just be what F1 needs and infuse new blood into the sport which is well over bloated.
One team that is the talk of town is the Lotus F1 Team. Here’s the report posted from Formula1.com website on this team:- http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/9/9934.html
Lotus confirmed for 2010 as FIA pushes for 14 teamsFollowing an intensive selection and due diligence process, the FIA has awarded the 13th entry in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship to the new Lotus team.
The FIA also received an impressive application from the BMW Sauber team. As such, it has awarded BMW Sauber the ‘14th place’ in the championship meaning that it will be entitled to fill any vacancy that arises on the 2010 grid.
In addition, the FIA believes that a good case can be made for expanding the grid to 14 teams. The FIA will be consulting urgently with the existing teams regarding the introduction of an appropriate rule change to expand the grid to 28 cars in time for the first Grand Prix in 2010.
Detailed below is information about the new team that has been confirmed to compete in the championship from next year, joining fellow newcomers Manor Grand Prix, Team US and Campos Meta.
Company Name: 1Malaysia F1 Team Sdn Bhd
Team Name: Lotus F1 Team
Country: Malaysia
Team Principal: Tony Fernandes
A partnership between the Malaysian Government and a consortium of Malaysian entrepreneurs, 1Malaysia F1 Team returns the Lotus name as a constructor to Formula One for the first time since 1994. The team will initially be based at the RTN facility in Norfolk, UK, some 10 miles from the Lotus Cars factory. A 50,000 square foot fully equipped facility, RTN was built by Toyota for its initial Formula One programme and then used by Bentley for its successful Le Mans programme.
The team’s future design, R&D, manufacturing and technical centre will be purpose built at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit.
Team Principal Tony Fernandes is the founder and CEO of the Malaysian-based Tune Group, owner of the Air Asia airline. The team’s Technical Director Mike Gascoyne has over 20 years of experience in Formula One having previously performed the same role for the Force India, Toyota, Renault and Jordan Formula One teams.
As part of its application to compete in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship, the team has agreed an engine supply deal with Cosworth and a wide variety of technical partnerships including Xtrac and FondTech.
The team is understood to already have a shortlist of six drivers, including both Malaysian and international names, and an announcement confirming their line-up is expected in late October.
Later news reported the team is licensed to use Lotus in name spirit only and Tony may seek new Team Principal and drivers. Job postings were released as well as listed below:- http://paultan.org/2009/09/29/want-a-job-with-the-lotus-f1-team/
The Lotus F1 Team put out a press ad in the sports section of The Star yesterday listing various positions to be filled in the team. The list is quite extensive and all you have to do is email your CV and cover letter to 1MalaysiaHR@lotusf1team.com.
A quick glimpse at lotusf1team.com shows it doesn’t really have much content yet. The domain lists ex-Lotus employee and Litespeed co-founder Nino Singh Judge as the admin and technical contact.
Aerodynamics – Project Leader Aerodynamics, Junior Aerodynamicist, Head of CFD, CFD Engineer.
Composites Design – Head of Composite Design, Senior / Junior Composite Designer, Composite Engineer.
Composite – Head of Composite Layup Shop, Senior / Junior Layup Technician, Head of Composite Trim Shop, Senior / Junior Trim Shop Technician
Electronics – Head of Electronics, Senior / Junior Electronics Engineer, Senior Control Engineer, Control Software Engineer
Factory – Factory Manager, Senior / Junior Maintenance
Gearbox Design – Head of Gearbox Design, Senior / Junior Gearbox Design
Gearbox Assembly – Head of Gearbox Shop, Race Gearbox Technician
Hydraulics – Head of Hydraulics Shop, Race Hydraulics Technician, Test Hydraulics Technician
Mechanical Production – Head of Mechanical Production, Senior / Junior Machinist, Fabricator
Mechanical Design – Head of Mechanical Design, Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Senior Mechanical Designer
Pattern Shop – Head of Pattern Shop, Senior / Junior Pattern Maker
Production, Production Control and Purchasing – Head of Production, Senior Production Engineer, Mechanical Buyer, Composite Buyer, General Buyer, Aerodynamics Buyer
Quality Control & Inspection – Head of Inspection, Senior / Junior Inspection Technician
Design Office – Drawing Office Manager
R&D – Head of R&D, Senior R&D Engineer, Senior R&D Technician
Race Engineering – Test Engineer, Race Data Engineer, Test Data Engineer, Aero Support Engineer
Race & Test – Logistic Manager, Race & Test Travel Secretary, Clothing & Team Gear
Race Team – Race Chief Mechanic, Race Parts Mechanic
Stress Analysis – Senior / Junior FEA Engineer
Sub Assembly – Head of Sub Assembly, Sub Assembly Technician
Test Team – Test Chief Mechanic, Test Part Mechanic, Test Team Truckie, Test Team Mechanic
Vehicle Science – Head of Vehicle Dynamics, Vehicle Dynamics Engineer, Senior / Junior Software Engineer
Marketing & PR – Head of Marketing, Marketing Manager, Tri-lingual Website Designers, Graphic Designers, Executive Assistant, Business Development Manager, Sponsorship Manager, Sponsor Account Manager, Head of PR / Tri-Lingual PR Officer, Press Officer, Hospitality Coordinator
Finance – Financial Controller, Finance Manager, Finance Executive
Legal – Head of Legal, Legal Manager, Legal Executive
HR – Head of HR, HR Manager, HR Executive
IT – Head of Information Technology, CAD Manager, Senior IT Engineer, Race IT Engineer, Test IT Engineer, IT Technician
It’s not really clear at the moment whether all jobs are available immediately. I have a feeling alot of the positions would probably already be filled by Litespeed F3 engineers. The Aerodynamics and Gearbox department will probably have to deal with FondTech and Xtrac respectively as when the team was announced, they were mentioned as suppliers to the team. Cosworth will be supplying the engine. I think what Malaysian can immediately look out for are the Marketing & PR, Finance, HR and Legal departments.
Lotus is by far the right team to be in motorsports if they are actually in F1 then it sounds the return of some great times. Who can forget their black beauty JPS F1 car? Its well worth the wait for the return of Lotus into F1.
