Just one day after Lotus Racing’s Hingham
factory was officially opened by former
Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir, the
team played host to HRH The Duke of York. Team
Principal Tony Fernandes and Chief Technical
Officer Mike Gascoyne gave the Duke an official
tour of the team’s facility and presented him
with a commemorative set of his own Lotus Racing
overalls.
The Duke’s visit was a landmark occasion for
Lotus Racing. It gave the team a chance to thank
him personally for the pivotal role he played in
the formation of the latest British team to join
the Formula 1 grid, and provided His Royal
Highness with an opportunity to see progress at
the factory since the team's formation in
September 2009.
During his tour The Duke was introduced to a
number of the team’s staff, including drivers
Heikki Kovalainen, Jarno Trulli and Fairuz Fauzy,
together with members of the technical and
mechanical departments who were honoured that
their workplace was visited by such an esteemed
guest.
Speaking about a momentous week for Lotus Racing,
Tony Fernandes said “I have been privileged to
work with His Royal Highness over a number of
years in his role as the UK’s Special
Representative for International Trade and
Investment. As is well known without HRH’s
efforts Air Asia X’s partnership with Rolls
Royce would not have become a reality. What is
perhaps less well recognised is that the Duke
was one of the primary catalysts behind our
substantial capital investment here in Norfolk.
Indeed it was thanks to the Duke’s advice in
June of 2009 that we began another extraordinary
partnership between Malaysia and the United
Kingdom that has culminated in the successful
entry and creation of the Lotus Racing T127
grand prix car. I am delighted that His Royal
Highness was able to join us at Lotus Racing
today.”
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