F1 Shownieuws! #3

quote:

Fernandes is the founder of the Caterham F1 Formula One team, which began racing in 2010 as Lotus Racing and raced in 2011 as Team Lotus. On 2 July 2014, Caterham F1 was sold to a Swiss and Middle Eastern consortium.[29]

On 16 December 2009, Fernandes accepted a "challenge" from Richard Branson, a fellow airline boss and the owner of Lotus' fellow F1 newcomers Virgin Racing. The losing team's boss would work on the winner's airline for a day dressed as a steward.[30] Branson lost. Fernandes' team produced a poster depicting Branson in an Air Asia uniform. However, the date of the flight was delayed several times: first because of Branson breaking his leg, then because of the royal wedding, and later because of a fire at the Necker Island. On 19 December 2012, Fernandes announced that Branson would honour his bet in May 2013. Branson ultimately honoured the bet on 13 May 2013.[31]

Caterham Racing, also created by Fernandes, competed in the GP2 Series. In October 2014, Tony Fernandes sold the team to Teddy Yip Jr. and he relocated it to Silverstone to merge with Status Grand Prix.[32]

On 27 April 2011, Fernandes announced that his company had purchased Caterham Cars.