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Lotus still seeking sponsorship deals

Saturday 14th November 2009

The new Lotus F1 team insists they have the finances to compete next season even though they are still seeking new sponsors.

Lotus, backed by the Malaysian government, who hold no equity in the team, and a trio of entrepreneurs, is one of four new teams that will line-up on next year's grid, joining Campos Meta, Manor GP and USF1.

However, team director Kamarudin Meranun says they are still seeking sponsors and could look to government-linked companies such as BMW-Sauber sponsors, Petronas.

"What is wrong with asking for sponsors from GLCs like Petronas?" Meranun told Malaysia's Bernama news agency

"If Petronas can sponsor a foreign F1 team, why should the national petroleum company not sponsor a local team?"

The team, though, is looking to keep costs as low as possible with team principal Tony Fernandes's budget airline AirAsia being used to move equipment and personnel to the various race venues.

Added to that, Kamarudin also hopes that Malaysian pride will entice employees to work "at a lower pay."

"The (team) put up an advertisement to fill 225 posts, we received over 6,500 applications," said Kamarudin. "Most of them are from Malaysian engineering experts currently working abroad.

"They are excited with the Malaysian-owned Lotus F1 Racing and are willing to work at a lower pay. This will enable us to lower the cost."

Your Comments

freewi11

"well with the economic downturn, every company probs cutting back on advertising. And not to mention F1 been tarnished really bad from all these controversies of the last few years, who wants too anyways? if the Title Champions having trouble finding sponsors, so are the new minnows in town too. Best of luck to everyone. "

nedaznir

"The Malaysian government already wasted our money with silly projects like the twin towers, sepang racing track, sending people to the space as visitor, mega mosques, proton, increased foreign cars taxes for more than 300%, and i can assure you that this team won't last long on the grid and some big rat is pocketing some millions out of this. I wonder who is going to sponsor the team than the tax payer's money"