Lotus F1

Lotus F1 racing is a Malaysia-based racing outfit that will be one of four teams making its debut in Formula One racing in 2010. This will mark the first appearance of a Lotus car in the sport since 1994, albeit with the name under the new ownership of Malaysian car manufacturer and team investor, Proton.

Headquarters: Norfolk, England
Engine: Cosworth CA2010
Chassis: Lotus T127
F1 Debut: 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix
Drivers: Jarno Trulli, Heikki Kovalianen

Lotus F1 racing is the product of collaboration between various Malaysian entrepreneurs and the Proton Automobile Company. The team is part of the 1Malaysia initiative that seeks to unite the citizens of the chains of islands that form the Malaysian nation.

Entrepreneur Tony Fernandes will serve as the team principal during its inaugural season, with former Tyrell and Sauber designer Mike Gascoyne serving as the technical director. While the team has taken the Lotus brand name, the car will not use a Proton/Lotus engine or chassis.

History

Lotus F1 Racing was created in 2009 following discussions between the Litespeed F1 team and Tony Fernandes over the creation of a joint Formula One venture. These negotiations inspired Fernandes to begin the process of securing backers for this joint venture.

Fernandes soon secured backing from Proton motors, the Sepang International Circuit, his company AirAsia, Naza Motors, the Motorsports Association of Malaysia and the Automobile Association of Malaysia to pursue the creation of an F1 team.

Proton motors subsequently agreed to allow the team to use the Lotus brand. Development of a chassis and engine began immediately as the team began the race to complete its car ahead of the first Grand Prix of the 2010 season.

In December of 2009 Lotus F1 Racing announced that it had secured the services of Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen as the team’s principal drivers.

Lotus F1 Racing in Formula One

The new Lotus team will continue the proud tradition of Lotus Cars in Formula One racing. The Lotus brand was an icon of the sport from 1958 to 1994, winning 7 Constructors Championships and helping the likes of Jim Clark, Mario Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi take the Drivers Championship.

Lotus F1 is not expected to replicate the feats of winners-on-debut, Brawn, in the 2010 season. While the team will benefit from the technical expertise of Litespeed, the late announcement of successful bids for F1 positions by the FIA means that the team has had minimal time to build and test its first Formula One car.

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(Lotus-Renault)		0
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(Lotus-Renault)		0
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25Timo Glock
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26Daniel Ricciardo
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27Narain Karthikeyan
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28Karun Chandhok
(Lotus-Renault)		0
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