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(LONDON) The allure of Formula One remains undimmed for Middle Eastern and Asian investors as the sport shifted further away from its European origins last week with the rebirth of Lotus as a Malaysian- owned team.
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BMW-Sauber, who were left fighting for their survival after German manufacturer BMW announced in July that it was pulling out at the end of the season, hope to be racing against them after being rescued by Middle Eastern money.
BMW said Qadbak Investments, a Swiss-based foundation representing unnamed Middle Eastern interests, had signed a contract to buy the team.
Although Lotus have taken the slot that was BMW-Sauber's, the latter team were given a reserve 14th place with the FIA also looking into a regulation change to allow the grid to stretch to 14 teams and 28 cars.
Leading Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes had said he would be team principal after Lotus were awarded the 13th slot on the 2010 starting grid by the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA).
A new design, manufacturing and technical centre will be built at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit.
'The cars will be made in Malaysia, by Malaysians,' the government had said in a statement.
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The Middle East already has two races for the first time this year, with the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix joining Bahrain on the calendar, while France has disappeared from the calendar.
Abu Dhabi's Mubadala investment fund owns a 5 per cent stake in Ferrari while Bahrain's state holding company Mumtalakat has 30 per cent of McLaren. A further 15 per cent of McLaren is in the hands of Saudi businessman Mansour Ojjeh.
The Gulf's financial involvement could grow even further if media reports in Germany are correct about Mercedes seeking a 75 per cent stake in championship leaders Brawn.
German magazine Auto, Motor und Sport reported last week that Aabar, a major investor in Mercedes' parent company Daimler, would hold the stake until the carmaker's exclusive contract with McLaren expires in 2011.
Malaysia and Singapore are now established fixtures while South Korea is aiming for a slot in 2010 before India makes its debut in 2011.
Indian aviation and liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya has already put the country more firmly on the motorsport map with his Force India team taking pole position in Belgium last month and grabbing two top four positions in two races.
Force India were formally Jordan, Midland and Spyker and remain based at Britain's Silverstone circuit.
Britain and its 'Motorsport Valley' has long been the home of choice to a majority of teams but the numbers are levelling out. Newcomers due to debut next season promise to take the sport out of its familiar surroundings.
US F1 have decided to base themselves in Charlotte, North Carolina which means that the championship that started in Europe 59 years ago with teams from just Italy and France could soon see cars being produced on three continents. -- Reuters
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