Malaysia’s national A1GP team is reportedly in talks with the new Lotus F1 entry about collaborating in 2010.
The Malaysian Insider cites a “source” as revealing that “deep discussions” between Lotus team officials Tony Fernandes and Mike Gascoyne, and A1 team boss Jack Cunningham, took place recently at the Singapore Grand Prix.
“A1 Team Malaysia feels that the technological know-how and vast experience it has could be put to good use in helping out the Lotus F1 team,” the source said.
The concept of a merger should not be ruled out, particularly in light of the A1 team’s withdrawal from the forthcoming opening race of the season in Australia, and the apparent poor health of the so-called ‘World Cup of Motorsport’.
Also to be considered is the fact that the arrival of Lotus F1 may attract major sponsors away from the A1 Team Malaysia effort; thereby a reunion of resources could be beneficial, in addition to bringing experienced Malaysian personnel into the F1 project’s ‘national’ theme.
The new Lotus F1 team, granted an official entry to debut in 2010, is a partnership of Malaysian state and private stakeholders, including the Proton carmaker, the Sepang circuit and the airline AirAsia.
D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM via F1-Live
