Lotus boss Tony Fernandes has a new team under his wing after his application to launch a GP2 team for 2011 was successful, the series announced on Tuesday.
The team is called Team Air Asia, named after Tony's Kuala Lumpur based low-fare airline, and will join multiple British F3 champions Carlin on the grid for a three-year period as part of a 13-team grid, replacing Durango and DPR on the starting line up.
Team Air Asia will run as a Malaysian entry with close links to the Lotus F1 team.
“We have known and observed Carlin for a long time,” GP2 Bruno Michel said of the two newcomers. “We signed them in GP3 Series and we have been very pleased not with only their results which included two podiums and one pole position, but also with the way they integrated into our working environment. To have them enter GP2 is the logical next step.
“As for Team Air Asia, it is a new team built on a strong relationship with a current Formula One team presided by Tony Fernandes. The seriousness of their presentation, their ambition and their worldwide project were really appealing and in line with what we expect from all our teams. We are very happy to welcome an Asian team to our paddock.”
The two teams will join the grid for the start of the new Asian Series season in the New Year.
Last edited:
