Malaysia’s Lotus Formula One team has today announced they have appointed Riad Asmat as chief executive who will oversee the team’s motorsport programme.

Asmat who is 38, was  a general manager at Proton prior to this appointment, will work with the new Malaysian backed F1 team Lotus, whom are aiming for a roll out of the new car in mid-February to test it before the season opener in Bahrain in March.

Team principal Tony Fernandes said:

“Riad’s expertise, which is a good blend of both corporate experience and motorsports knowledge, will provide the dynamic and success-oriented leadership that the 1Malaysian team requires,”

“I’m confident that his knowledge of motorsports coupled with vast experience will contribute to the success of the 1 Malaysia F1 Team.”

“All of us in the 1Malaysia Formula One Team understand that this is a very important first step for the nation,”

“We’ll make it our key objective to build a very strong and robust foundation moving forward.”