Frankfurt 2009: Lotus returning to Formula One

[Administrator]

Lotus is returning to Formula One racing with a team run by the Malaysian government and a group of Malaysian investors.

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile selected the Lotus F1 Team to replace the withdrawing BMW team in the 2010 season. Lotus will be the 13th team, restoring the brand as an F1 constructor for the first time since 1994. Lotus confirmed the news at its press conference at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

The team will be headed by Tony Fernandes, founder and chief executive officer of Malaysian-based Tune Group, owner of Air Asia airline. Though the ownership is based in Malaysia, the team will initially be based in Norfolk, England, just ten miles from the Lotus factory.

The BMW Sauber team was appointed the 14th team, ready to step in should another team withdraw, though the FIA says it may increase the grid to 28 cars. In a news release, the FIA said BMW Sauber had an “application of high quality” and would be competitive even without the support of the manufacturer.

More: Frankfurt 2009: Lotus returning to Formula One on AutoGuide.com

[Bob Dz.]

Just to get this clear, the owner of the name "Team Lotus" is allowing a group to use the name, "Team Lotus". There is currently no Lotus participation in this team? Who is going to design the body, unless are they all the same like Nascar? Also, I would assume there will be NO Lotus (CABC) emblems on the car. Only logo's would be "TEAM LOTUS", as Team Lotus does not own the trademark/copyright to the CABC logo.

So, Lotus owners know these cars have nothing to do with Lotus, and new F1 fans probably don't even know what Lotus is.

If there is no CABC on the front of the car, it's really not a true Lotus.

Just my $0.02.

[robains]

Come on, Proton is Malaysian, Malaysian government (Prime minister) is supporting it, Proton/Malaysia owns Lotus ... the badge will end up on the car.

But Mike Gascoyne is going to head it up (a Brit) -- I'm sure on the surface the Malaysian government are promoting "Made in Malaysia, by Malaysians, and a Malaysian pit crew" but I can assure you Mike Gascoyne will hire/use best qualified team he can put together -- if Lotus engineering is qualified, I'm sure we might see some of them on the Lotus F1 team ... and I'd guess some Lotus engineers already have their resumes on Mike's desk.

Now as far as public persception, doesn't matter -- Lotus F1 will help sell Lotus cars -- seems like new CEO is going in the right direction

A GT3 Evora, and now Lotus F1 -- seems to me the heritage is coming back regardless of the who's funding, and that's fine with me. Just no Proton designed AC systems or turn signals

Rob.

[Aedo]

Much discussion here - Lotus Returns to Formula 1

[BRTHTAKR]

I was guardedly excited at first, but after reading this quote:

Lotus is an iconic British sports and racing car maker, but it is currently owned by Malaysia's Proton. "Hopefully we can hear the Malaysian national anthem being played one day," PM Najib added.

I became a bit ill.

I mean, that's great to have a Malaysian or where ever car do well, but can't they call it something Malaysian? (Oh yeah, Lotus is Malaysian)

Maybe call it the Kuala, or the Lumpur

[lotustt]

Big news, is this not?

[andykeck]

Originally Posted by BRTHTAKR

I was guardedly excited at first, but after reading this quote:

Lotus is an iconic British sports and racing car maker, but it is currently owned by Malaysia's Proton. "Hopefully we can hear the Malaysian national anthem being played one day," PM Najib added.

I became a bit ill.

I do not like this one bit.