Rossi, who will race in Formula Renault 3.5 this season, is joined by Formula Ford driver Matt Parry, and karters Tanart Sathienthirakul, Max Klinkby-Silver, Weiron Tan, Senna Iriawan and Daim Hishamuddin.

The programme is run by former Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong, and will see the participants given training and support.

Team CEO Riad Asmat said: "Since the very first days of Team Lotus we have wanted to give young drivers from Asia and around the world the chance to develop their talents and use our experience to help them achieve their goals, on and off track."

The announcement was made during Lotus' street demonstration event in Putrajaya in Malaysia today. Rossi joined the team's race drivers Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen in driving the Lotus F1 car through the streets as part of the event.