Lotus F1 Team Principal to Step Down During 2010 Season

Tony Fernandes is not planning to have a long stay at Lotus F1 Team next year, as the AirAsia CEO admitted he doesn't have the necessary experience to take the team up in the standings. He revealed he'll only be in the team principal position for a few months in the beginning of the 2010 season, after which a more capable manager will take over.

“The team principal (position) is not something that is going to be permanent. I am going to get it (the team) to a stage and then someone can do it full time, properly. My job is AirAsia and I just want to make sure that we (Lotus) have the right direction, the right imaging and the right future, the right strategic plan and marketing,” Fernandes told news agency Reuters.

“I think up to about Melbourne, maybe. Maybe I'll enjoy being the team principal for a couple of races and I think then we'd move it on to someone else,” added the AirAsia CEO.

In addition, he pointed out that the team will go for an experienced pair of drivers in its first season in the series, rather than basing their efforts on home grown talent. Although the Lotus F1 Team will benefit from exclusive Malaysian financing, Fernandes sees no point in pushing for Malaysian drivers for the time being.

An announcement on the team's lineup for 2010 will be made before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in late October.

“My personal preference would be to try to get someone with lots of experience, even though he may be ending his career, who can add a lot of experience and develop the car,” concluded the interim Lotus team principal.