Lotus' Formula 1 factory in Hingham was officially opened by the former Malaysian prime minister Tun Dr. Mahathir on Monday.
With the Malaysian government being fully behind the Lotus team efforts, the still influential Mahathir was given a tour of the facility in Norfolk, as well as getting to sit inside the cockpit of the new T127 while the engine was fired up.
Lotus Racing team principal Tony Fernandes said: "It is very exciting for us and the team that Tun Dr. Mahathir has been able to come to Norfolk to officially open our factory. He is the father of motor racing in Malaysia, the visionary behind the birth of the Sepang International Circuit and the Malaysian Grand Prix, and has given us all the inspiration to reach for the skies and achieve our dreams
"As such, it is a tremendous honor for us to welcome him here and we are extremely proud he has opened our factory today."