Lotus to target February 2010 for F1 launch

[Randy Chase]

BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula 1 | Lotus target February car launch

Lotus target February car launch

Lotus are confident their new car will be ready by mid-February ahead of the start of the 2010 Formula One season.

The Malaysian-funded team announced a scale model has been cleared to undergo windtunnel testing in the near future.

Technical director Mike Gascoyne said Lotus' priority is for two cars on the grid at the start of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix in March next year.

"There is no escaping the challenges we face to get the car ready for the first race of next season," said Gascoyne.

"But I am confident that we are up to the task.

"Our target is to get the car ready by the middle of February so that we can carry out pre-season testing for Bahrain in mid-March.

"We have been working with Fondtech to develop the aerodynamics, as well as with gearbox specialists Xtrac.

"We have an engine supply deal in place with Cosworth and we also have the support of engineering and composites teams in Malaysia who will play an integral role in developing the car."

Lotus are one of four new teams entering the competition next season alongside Campos GP, Manor and US F1.

Former Super Aguri driver Anthony Davidson has been linked with a move to Lotus, although Gascoyne said an untried Malaysian driver remains an option.

"We need reliable and technically-minded drivers who can help us develop the car during the season, but at the same time we need drivers who are hungry for results and who can extract every little bit of performance from the car at all times," he said.

Lotus are the fourth most successful constructor of all time, despite not having competed in a Formula One race since 1994.

But Gascoyne remains realistic about the Norfolk-based team's targets in their debut season.

"We are a new team and we are starting our development late, so it will be an achievement just to get two cars on the Bahrain grid," he added.

"I hope by the middle of the season we will have established ourselves as the best of the rookie teams and then continue to make forward progress for the rest of the year."

[ms355]

While I believe that being on the grid on time is one thing, the more tricky one will be to provide a car that is reasonably competitive. Looking at the workforce that has been installed at most established F1 teams (e.g. Renault) and the progress they make during a season this is going to be a real challenge for the 4 new teams.

[EliseAtLeast]

I'm sure Lotus will do fine. Looking forward to next season.

[kestrel74]

exciting !..... I hope they just blow everyone away.

[...m...]

...i'd really like to know the scope of involvement from lotus engineering and team lotus / classic team lotus alumni - particularly as the press commences speaking of the modern and historic racing programs in the same breath, some sort of comprehensive table listing all the participating parties and personnel would be invaluable in dispelling (or affirming) doubts to the legitimacy of such comparisons...

[kwancho]

As far as I know, the Lotus we know and love has very little actual influence on the team.

[ms355]

Does anyone know what color it will be painted in? British Racing Green with yellow stripes would look classic.

[mcoupe]

Finally a reason to watch F1 again....

[Demonized]

Originally Posted by mcoupe

Finally a reason to watch F1 again....

+1

I don't even care so much that Lotus themselves won't be directly involved, will just be exciting to hear "Lotus" every once in a while...

[Aero.Racer]

Lotus has such a rich history in F1, that I really want to see them do well so as to not turn into an "also ran."

[apk919]

As previously said, I hope that the "real" Lotus, the true lineage of Team Lotus or Lotus Cars is intimately involved in any effort that carries the "Lotus" name. The Lotus marque carries a great deal of history and mystique... it would be a shame to transfer this hard earned reputation to an unaffiliated group, no matter how well funded or "professional" they are. As an example of how it should be done, my hat is off to BrawnGP, which through the professionalism of its principals, engineers, and drivers, were able to win a Contructor's Championship in their debut season in F1.

[viloprods]

Randy
There's some bloke(reg. user) whose avatar I find extremely offensive.
It shows a Hasidic Jew wearing glasses with both arms slightly raised
and below in celtic script "Jew talking to me?" I believe in the right to free
speech. But this guys obvious attempt at humor is pushing it. The bottem line
is : He changes it or I go. I race in the LCS and am a supporter of the Wb site
and I am dependent on your sight for info re: Races,dates and registration,
ect. He just gives a Letter for his name and longitude and latitude of where
he lives. Funny it aint. Hate mongering it is
Sincerly
Victor Brandt (viloprods)

[Randy Chase]

Umm... I need more info. Who? Can you send a report to a moderator from his post? Something?