Yoong takes on Lotus role

The Malaysian will focus on the Asian part of the scheme, with the European side being run by Litespeed Formula 3 team principal Nino Judge.

Lotus has also appointed Mia Sharizman Ismail as its head of operations in Asia.

Team principal Tony Fernandes said: "These new senior appointments will be a great boost for Lotus F1 Racing. The team have achieved many important milestones and we are on track to be on the grid in Bahrain next year."

It is hoped Yoong and Judge will be able to find and nurture Malaysian talent with a view to racing for the Lotus team in the longer term future.

Lotus F1 CEO Riad Asmat said: "The young driver development scheme will play a key role in finding and developing future Malaysian drivers and it is great that Litespeed can play such an important role in that process.

"There is a lot of raw motorsport talent in Malaysia and as the country's national F1 team, it is our responsibility to bring that to the fore."