Lotus team principal Tony Fernandes has one main aim ahead of the 2010 Formula One season - to finish ahead of fellow airline boss Richard Branson.

Fernandes, who is also CEO of AirAsia, is the figurehead behind Lotus' return to F1 for the first time since 1994.

As one of four new marques competing next year, Lotus will be in competition with Manor GP, who are to be rebranded Virgin Racing following an expected tie-up with Branson's company.

Fernandes once worked for Branson as a financial controller for Virgin Records in the late 1980s.

Asked as to his target for the new season, Fernandes replied: "For me, to make sure I'm ahead of Richard Branson.

"I used to work for him, we partnered together on the airline, so I would like to see him behind me on the grid.

"We think we are going to have a very reasonable car. We know we aren't going to be competing (at the front) in year one, but it takes time and we'll have a good basis for moving forward."

Despite the uncertainty surrounding F1 at present, with the loss of three major manufacturers - Honda, BMW and Toyota - in the last 12 months, and another in Renault poised for a buy-out, Fernandes is convinced he has come into the sport at the right time.

The 45-year-old did likewise when he bought AirAsia shortly after the 9/11 disaster in the United States, turning the company into a profitable no-frills airline.

Speaking at the Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco, Fernandes said: "We see opportunities and I think things are going the right way.

"Costs may be coming down, but I still think it's a phenomenally successful sport.

"There are still lots of ways of making this a really good business, and it's a great business for other businesses to sit on as a platform."