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Tun Dr. Mahathir Officially Opens Lotus Racing Factory

Tun Dr. Mahathir, ex-Prime Minister of Malaysia, today conducted the official opening of the Lotus Racing factory in Hingham, Norfolk

Tun Dr. Mahathir Officially Opens Lotus Racing FactoryMalaysia’s longest serving Prime Minister, and one of Asia’s most influential political figures, was joined by Lotus Racing Team Principal Tony Fernandes, Deputy Team Principals Kamarudin Meranun and SM Nasarudin and Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne for the official ceremony to declare the factory open.

During his tour Tun Dr. Mahathir was given a detailed explanation of the different aspects of a modern Formula One team factory. He was then seated in the Lotus Cosworth T127 Chassis 02 while the engine was fired up, giving the team’s esteemed guest a very rare insight into the conditions the team’s drivers, Malaysia’s Fairuz Fauzy, Italy’s Jarno Trulli and Finland’s Heikki Kovalainen work in at races and tests.

Tun Dr. Mahathir created the vision for the establishment and growth of motorsport in Malaysia, and therefore the birth of the Lotus Racing team. This visionary spirit was the driving force for the establishment of the Malaysian Grand Prix, held at the world-renowned Sepang International Circuit which was also created and built under his Premiership.






Tony Fernandes and fellow Lotus Racing shareholders Kamarudin Meranun and SM Nasarudin were honoured that Tun Dr. Mahathir oversaw such an important milestone in the team’s development, saying “It is very exciting for us and the team that Tun Dr. Mahathir has been able to come to Norfolk to officially open our factory. He is the Father of motor racing in Malaysia, the visionary behind the birth of the Sepang International Circuit and the Malaysian Grand Prix and has given us all the inspiration to reach for the skies and achieve our dreams – as such it is a tremendous honour for us to welcome him here and we are extremely proud he has opened our factory today. ”

Lotus Racing completed its first official test last week in Jerez and now moves to Barcelona for the final official test before the season kicks off in earnest in Bahrain from March 12th – 14th.

We are lacking downforce, admits Kovalainen

Heikki Kovalainen has admitted that Lotus' first Formula 1 car in sixteen years carries a fundamental downforce problem, as he completed his Jerez test slowest on the timesheets and 3.2 seconds down on leader Mark Webber's Red Bull on Friday.

As the famous Lotus name returns to the sport with the 1Malaysia team behind it, Kovalainen drove the car for the first time on Thursday after test driver Fairuz Fauzy began the team's programme on Thursday. With Jarno Trulli set to take over for tomorrow, Kovalainen understands the key problems.

"I think the main issue is the downforce," the former Renault and McLaren driver explained to reporters. "We have not been able to develop the aero package as we should have; we had five months to build the car and everything's been a bit conservative. Before they started to design the car, they had no information about the engine, so cooling and everything is quite conservative.

"For sure, we can improve - just by looking at the car I could probably improve a few things; I'm sure we will be able to do this but it'll just take a little time." With the team's Norfolk-based crew being able to collect more information before the season starts, in Barcelona next week, Heikki knows that time will be the best healer.

"Once everybody in the UK - the design and manufacturing teams - begin working, we'll be able to make big improvements," continued Kovalainen, who crashed at Jerez on Thursday.

"I think it's quite clear that we're lacking downforce compared to the quickest cars. It's not surprising, we expected it - but just looking at the numbers we knew where we were going to be."

Trulli makes Lotus debut as team end test on positive note

KUALA LUMPUR: Italian Jarno Trulli finally took to the tracks as Lotus Racing Team ended their four-day test on a positive note at the Jerez circuit in Spain on Saturday.

Trulli, making his Lotus debut, started off at 9am – aiming to complete 140 laps.

The Italian finally pitted at around 4.40pm – completing 141 laps – much to the satisfaction of his team.

McLaren’s Jenson Button leapt to the top of the timesheets as this week’s test drew to a close.

Button lapped the Spanish circuit in 1:18.871 to finish over two-tenths of a second ahead of Robert Kubica in the Renault.

The British world champion spent the day evaluating set-ups and assessing tyre durability in the MP4-25, and covered 108 laps while Poland’s Kubica completed 117 laps, as he carried out long runs in his R30.

For Lotus, the target had been to get as much mileage on the car as possible. Trulli’s best lap time was 1:23.470.

Trulli said it was a good day all round and that the car felt good, with no immediate problems.

“It was a very positive day. I’m really happy about my first day testing with Lotus Racing and I was very lucky to have everything right on the car,” he said.

“With no major issues, we were able to put a lot of mileage on the car and get a lot of information out of it.

“I had the chance to start developing a real feel for the car and it’s good to be here.”

Lotus Racing chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne summed up the final day in Jerez, and the total four days in Spain, as an excellent outing.

“An excellent day today (Saturday), concentrating on reliability and race pace. The 141 laps from Jarno is a great effort when you consider it’s his first day driving this year,” he said.

“It was also a great effort from the team who worked all night to get the car prepared. Overall, it’s been a very encouraging four days.

“The main aim of the test was reliability and over the last two days of dry running, we have found some directions in set-up that will enable us to concentrate on the pace of the car in Barcelona.”

The teams will move their testing to Barcelona this weekend as they get ready for the opening race in Bahrain on March 14.

Apart from Lotus, the other new teams this year are Virgin, Campos and US F1.

While Virgin and Lotus have been among the slowest this week, they are confident about their progress while Campos and US F1 have yet to test or complete their line-ups.

Campos restructured their ownership and recruited the experienced Colin Kolles as team principal on Friday but US F1’s chances of making Bahrain look remote amid media reports they have asked to miss the first four races of the season.

Serbian team Stefan GP say they are ready to step in despite not having a 2010 entry.

Lotus Racing in confident mood

LOTUS Racing completed their four-day official test at the Jerez Circuit in Spain on Saturday still rooted to the bottom of the time sheets but were brimming with confidence over the reliability of the Lotus T127 Cosworth.

Italy's Jarno Trulli completed 141 trouble-free laps on the circuit on his first day on board the new car.

It was also a day when reigning world champion Jenson Button brought his first run with new team McLaren to the top, posting the fastest time of one minute 18.871 seconds.

Renault too seemed to have got their act together after a lacklustre season last year, with Poland's Robert Kubica taking the R30 to second spot with a time of 1:19.114s.

After adjusting quickly to his new office, Trulli set to work and by the time he had completed his targeted number of laps he described the day as positive.

"I'm really happy about my first day testing with Lotus Racing and I was very lucky to have everything right on the car today (Saturday) with no major issues," said Trulli.

"We were able to put a lot of mileage on the car and get a lot of information out of it.

I had the chance to start developing a real feel for the car and it's good to be here."

Lotus Racing chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne summed up the final day in Jerez, and the total four days in Spain with notes that the targeted reliability had been achieved.

"An excellent day today, concentrating on reliability and race pace," said Gascoyne.

"141 laps from Jarno is a great effort when you consider it's his first day driving this year and also a great effort from the team who worked all night to get the car prepared.

"Overall it's been a very encouraging four days.

The main aim of the test was reliability and over the last two days of dry running we have found some directions in set up that will enable us to concentrate on the pace of the car in Barcelona."

The pre-season tests now move to the Catalunya Circuit in Barcelona from Wednesday to Saturday.

Saturday's times: 1 Jenson Button (Bri) McLaren 1:18.871s (108 laps), 2 Robert Kubica (Pol) Renault 1:19.114s (117) , 3 Kamui Kobayashi (Jpn) Sauber 1:19.188s (117), 4 Vitantonio Liuzzi (Ita) Force India 1:19.650s (80), 5 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Mercedes 1:20.061s (130), 6 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Ferrari 1:20.436s (137), 7 Jaime Alguersuari (Spa) Toro Rosso 1:21.053s (139), 8 Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull Racing 1:21.194s (87), 9 Nico Hülkenberg (Ger) Williams 1:21.919s (137), 10 Timo Glock (Ger) Virgin Racing 1:22.433s (27), 11 Jarno Trulli (Ita) Lotus 1:23.470s (141).

Fairuz Fauzy qualified for Superlicense!

Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport. Its the most expensive and technical of them all. Only few are lucky enough to race in Formula 1 and most of the time these drivers are the crème de la crème, although some circumstances have proved us otherwise.

2010 Formula One Testing Jerez, Spain.Now what is Formula 1 without a strict license requirement that is the ‘king’ of motor racing licenses? The answer is: Superlicense.

Anyone who wishes to race in Formula 1 needs a Superlicense from the FIA. To qualify for the license one needs a ‘decorated’ experience in motor sport. On top of that one has to cover 300 kilometers with a current Formula 1 car. Following yesterday’s official test session in Jerez, Fairuz Fauzy has qualified for a Superlicense as he clocked in about 334 kilometers.

This means that if Kovalainen or Trulli is unable to race anytime during the season, Fauzy can step in. The test session in Jerez continues later today with Heikki Kovalainen behind the wheel of the Lotus Cosworth T127. Force India’s Paul di Resta also qualified for the license as well.

Power steering problems at Lotus

Lotus enjoyed a reasonable start to its new Formula 1 adventure on Wednesday when joining ten other teams at Jerez for the start of a four-day test. The Norfolk-based squad completed over 300 kilometres with res driver Fairuz Fauzy, which sees the Malaysian gain an FIA Superlicence despite suffering from power steering woes.

According to Lotus' Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne, the lack of power steering was due to supplier issues but should be solved by Thursday, for when regular race driver Heikki Kovalainen is behind the wheel.

"It's been an excellent day for the whole team," Gascoyne said. "With the car we had no major reliability issues - a few niggles with overheating, which were quickly solved, and then the car ran pretty faultlessly.

"The power steering issue will be fixed for tomorrow, so all in all a very successful first day and a busy evening ahead, preparing the car for tomorrow."

Fairuz Fauzy first to test Lotus

The Lotus team has confirmed to GPUpdate.net that test and reserve driver Fairuz Fauzy will be the first to drive as the 1Malaysia team makes its official testing.

With poor weather conditions forecast, teams are gearing up for more rainy days of running, with flooding even being predicted for the area on Thursday.

Malaysian Fauzy's test will be his first official F1 session since driving with Spyker in 2007, although the 27-year-old did conduct Lotus' shakedown run at Silverstone last Tuesday.

Having driven between 9am and 5pm at Jerez, he will then hand over to regular race driver Heikki Kovalainen, who will pilot the Cosworth-powered car for two days before team-mate Jarno Trulli brings the session to a close on Saturday

2011 a more realistic target for achievement, says Italian

LONDON: Lotus will have to be patient to become successful in Formula One, driver Jarno Trulli said on Friday as the team unveiled their new car.

“The first mile (step) was just to get the car ready for this launch,” Trulli said. “We have to be patient and have a low profile and prepare for 2011 in a much better way.

“Next season is a more realistic target for achievement. We have to make good progress this year.

“We have to establish ourselves in Formula One as a new team, be solid and strong and, hopefully, by mid-season we can work our way up to the middle of the grid.”

The Malaysian-owned outfit launched the T127, built in Norfolk, England, at a lavish ceremony.

Air Asia CEO and Lotus team principal Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes and drivers (second from left) Jarno Trulli, Fairuz Fauzy and Heikki Kovalainen posing for the media after unveiling the new Lotus F1 car, the T127, at the Royal Horticulture Hall in London on Friday.

Trulli and team-mate Heikki Kovalainen were joined on stage by team principal Tony Fernandes and chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne as the covers were whipped off the visually striking green and yellow car.

Trulli believes a realistic target is for the team to be the best of the new entries on this season’s grid.

Lotus, out of F1 since 1994, were only granted entry for the 2010 season in September and will compete alongside other newcomers Virgin Racing, Campos Meta and US F1.

“We have to be realistic,” said Trulli. “As we always say, we have to be the best of the new teams.

“This will be the first target we have to achieve. We all want to be on the front row but joining the club so late, it is unrealistic to think otherwise.”

Trulli, who drove for Toyota before the team pulled out of the sport in 2009, said this season will provide him with a different challenge.

“I know I have to be patient this year. I will have to work with the car and give the direction to improve it and make it ready for next year.

“If we can pick up our first point, it will be an emotional moment. It was 16 years ago that a Lotus car was on the track and it is great to have it back where it belongs.”

The car was put through its paces for the first time in a shakedown at Silverstone on Tuesday before an official test session in Jerez, Spain, next week.

Gascoyne, who has worked for several grand prix teams including Jordan, Renault and Toyota, believes they are in good shape ahead of the new season.

“I don’t think, given the hand we were dealt, we could have done a single thing better,” he said. “I have to take my hat off to everyone in the team.

“The shakedown tests went pretty well. The parts arrived very late but we got a few laps and actually found a few niggles that would have been a problem for us in Jerez and I think we go there in really good shape. We are going to be really good.” — Reuters

Lotus poised to launch 2010 car

The Lotus team will officially unveil its 2010 car in London on Friday as the legendary name returns to Formula 1 for the first time since 1994. The contender, which is yet to be named publically, enjoyed a successful first track outing in the hands of test driver Fairuz Fauzy on Tuesday.

With Tony Fernandes' Norfolk-based, 1Malaysia operation reintroducing the Lotus brand to F1, Mike Gascoyne has designed the car which was shaken down successfully on Silverstone's Stowe circuit in an historic green and yellow livery.

Race winners Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen - who switch from Toyota and McLaren respectively - will spearhead the driver line-up this season, with the Hingham squad now preparing for the launch ceremony at the British capital's Royal Horticultural Hall.

Fernandes: Lotus F1 has already proven a few people wrong...

Lotus F1 founder and team principal Tony Fernandes admits that he is proud to have witnessed the team's first car in action as he prepares for its official launch - and he vows to continue confounding the critics season-long...

In the week that the first Lotus F1 car took to the test track – and a day before the machine is officially revealed to the watching world – Tony Fernandes has revealed his immense pride that in the face of a considerable degree of cynicism, the Anglo-Malaysian outfit has 'proven a few people wrong'.

There has been, at one stage or another, doubt expressed about the likelihood of each and every one of the four F1 2010 newcomers – Lotus, Virgin Racing and the financially-troubled USF1 and Campos Meta 1 – actually making the starting grid for the curtain-raising Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir in just over four weeks' time, but after Virgin overcame a fumbled online launch to successfully shake down its new VR-01 at Silverstone last week ahead of its group test debut at Jerez yesterday (Wednesday), Lotus is next in-line.

Test and reserve driver Fairuz Fauzy was given the honour of putting the first laps on the similarly Cosworth-powered challenger, and after reporting a positive initial impression, the first hurdle has now been crossed. It was, acknowledged team principal Fernandes, a seminal moment.

“Obviously there were lots of glitches and lots of things that need to be tidied up, but they did enough work to be able to correct it for Jerez,” the AirAsia founder told Crash.net Radio, alluding to next week's third pre-season testing outing at the southern Spanish circuit. “Fairuz did the Malaysian thing, which was to say 'it felt good'. That's very important to me, going into something with that feeling that 'this could be something good', and he felt that we were onto something very special.

“He was giving me all the technical stuff like the fact that the gear-sequencing wasn't quite right and that there were a few hydraulic issues which is normal, but when I asked what else, he said 'It feels good – it feels like we're at the start of something'. That's what I wanted to hear, and it made me very happy.

“We've proven a few people wrong. It was fantastic to have our car out at Silverstone and do four or five laps. There's lots of work to do, of course – we're under no illusions that we're going to be at the front straightaway – but it was great to have the car out. I think that was an achievement. Mike [Gascoyne – technical director] has done a fantastic job from getting the entry so late to have actually produced a car that starts! And obviously on Friday we unveil it to the world...

“It will all truly become real in Bahrain, when we hopefully finish the race – then I will say it's real. I don't care where we finish, but I would love to finish that race. Unveiling the car is another step forward in the reality and the world can see that it's not just words anymore – they can see it's live, and that we're here to stay. That I think is when we go from 'Is it really there?' to 'It's there' – and that's a big step. Friday is a big step.”

Lotus back on F1 track after 16 years

LONDON, Feb 10 — Lotus returned to a Formula One track for the first time in 16 years yesterday when test driver Fairuz Fauzy gave their car a shakedown at Silverstone.

The yellow and green Lotus brand has been brought back to F1 by a Malaysian consortium and the car will be officially unveiled in London Friday before entering the third official test session in Spain next week.

Lotus is one of four new teams in Formula One this season although fellow newcomers Campos and US F1 are in danger of not being ready for the season opener in Bahrain on March 14. — Reuters

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/sports/52670-lotus-back-on-f1-track-after-16-years

Lotus delighted after early fire-up

Lotus technical chief Mike Gascoyne says his team is on course to prove its credentials as a serious Formula 1 outfit this year, ahead of a return to the track for the famous marque on Tuesday.

With Lotus scheduled to shakedown its 2010 car tomorrow, ahead of its official launch on Friday, the team fired up the Cosworth engine on its new chassis at its Hingham base on Saturday - six days ahead of when originally planned.

And with Gascoyne delighted at the progress made in the short time since Lotus was granted a 2010 entry, he is happy with the shape the team is in right now.

“It was obviously a big step forward to get the car fired up,” Gascoyne told AUTOSPORT.

“The most pleasing aspect of the engine fire-up was that when we got the entry, in our production schedule we had it pencilled in as February 12. So to do it on the 6th - six days ahead of schedule, was a great effort by everyone.

“What makes this so satisfying is that this is a project where everything has been built up from new. Everyone has contributed to the effort.”

Gascoyne has openly set ambitions of Lotus ending the season as not only the best of the new teams, but as a serious threat against some of the current outfits.

And although he admits there is still plenty of work to do before the team can achieve that, he is bullish about the performance potential.

“We are looking in really good shape,” he said. “We have to improve the pace of our car and the results from wind tunnel, but that will come with time.

“Our first aim was to be on the grid - to be a professional team where everything is to be F1 standard. We definitely will do that. The team will look good and step one has been achieved.”

http://www.inracingnews.com/formula-one-news/f1-formula-one-news/lotus-delighted-after-early-fire-up/