Yoong takes non-driving role at Lotus

Alex Yoong

(GMM) Alex Yoong has been assigned a senior role with the new formula one team Lotus.

It was rumored in September that the 2002 Minardi racer and Malaysian, who is now 33, might be a part of the Malaysian-owned outfit that is set to bring the famous Lotus name back to the grid next March.

Lotus has announced that Yoong, who in recent years has raced predominantly in A1 but contested a few GP2 Asia races in 2009, will be head of driver development for Asia.

Nino Judge, who made the original application to take his F3 team Litespeed to formula one next year with the Lotus name, will be Yoong's European counterpart.

"These new senior appointments will be a great boost. The team have achieved many important milestones and we are on track to be on the grid in Bahrain next year," said team boss Tony Fernandes.

Yoong contested 18 races with Minardi in 2001 and 2002 but scored no points.