Formula One: Tony Fernandez commends his Lotus crew
Malaysian boss Tony Fernandes negates his team’s performance despite Lotus’ inability to score any points in the 14 races that have unraveled so far this season.
The team was one of the new inductions in the Formula One family this year as the Lotus T127 car made its first appearance on track at the opening Grand Prix this season at Bahrain. This was Lotus’ first race after an absence of 16 years in the nearly six
decades of the sport.
On course for their fifteenth race as the Formula One calendar strikes Singapore this Sunday, Tony Fernandes believes that the team’s reintroduction has gone smoothly and according to plan despite making any inroads in the points department.
"There have obviously been highs and lows, but just being on the grid in Bahrain was an incredible achievement and now, 14 races in, it still feels like the dream is coming true.” said a rather dreamy, yet inspired Tony Fernandes.
The Malaysian reflected upon the prospects he saw for the remaining five races and the healthy competition they had in store.
"I'm obviously looking forward to the remaining races this season, and the battle with our nearest rivals is great for the fans and for all the teams involved, but for all of us next year is going to be very exciting."
It was always a question of whether it would be feasible for Fernandes to continue his role as team principal while keeping an eye on AirAsia in addition to his other business ventures but the Malaysian has remained as focused and as hungry as any other
member of the Lotus crew. He further assured everyone that his involvement wasn’t over by any stretch of the imagination as another record fiscal year for AirAsia was enough to assure all stakeholders of his multitasking abilities in his side business.
For a man who might be considered a successful entrepreneur otherwise, to be an efficient manager in a sport he doesn’t have much experience in, is still up for debate.
However, bearing in mind that closest rivals Virgin are yet to get off the mark in the constructor’s point column themselves, makes it a relatively competitive stat.
Lotus’ reliability issues should also be taken into consideration. The team, marred by mostly Gearbox issues as the T127 often failed to finish races in one week is set to shed its Cosworth connections and are reported to have signed on for a Renault engine
instead, with a possible agreement for a new Gearbox to go.
With all said and done, it is sincerely hoped that Tony Fernandes takes Lotus to the same heights as AirAsia on a progressive front. For the overall interest of the sport, hopefully the team’s efforts shall be matched by other newcomers this year resulting
in an even more competitive season in 2011.
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