F1 team owner receives British CBE award

Tony Fernandes with his award

Tony Fernandes, business entrepreneur and Team Principal of Team Lotus, has been presented with a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) award by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. It recognizes his ‘services to promote commercial and educational links’ between the United Kingdom and Malaysia.

“I am extremely humbled to have received this award today and I would like to thank Her Majesty The Queen for bestowing such an honor upon me," commented Malaysia’s Fernandes, head of the Tune Group which also owns airline AirAsia.

“More than a personal honor, it will serve as a catalyst to further enhance relations between the UK and Malaysia, particularly in the areas of business, culture and education.

“I receive this award today not on my behalf, but on behalf of all the incredible people I work with, wherever they may be around the world. It is their dedication, passion, enthusiasm and hard work that drives me on every single day and it is also my great honor to have the privilege of working with them."