KUALA LUMPUR: Lotus would unveil their racing car on Feb 12 for a return to Formula One after more than 15 years out of the sport, their team principal said yesterday.
ON SCHEDULE: 1Malaysia Lotus F1 Racing team principal Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes flags off a race during the Go-Kart For Young Drivers event organised by Lotus F1 Racing at Speedway Plus Karting Circuit USJ Rest & Restaurant Area, in this Nov 6, 2009 file photo. Looking on is 1Malaysia Lotus F1 Racing CEO Riad Asmat. — Bernama photo
“Turning on engines on the fifth, official launch 12th February,” Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes, the aviation mogul who founded budget carrier AirAsia, said on his Twitter account.
Last month, the new Malaysian-backed Lotus named Jarno Trulli of Italy and Finland’s Heikki Kovalainen as their drivers for the 2010 season, which begins in Bahrain on March 14.
Lotus CEO Riad Asmat told AFP, the car’s launch would take place in England but the exact venue had not been decided yet.
“The firing up the car’s engine on Feb 5 will be a very big thing and on Feb 9 we will be doing our shakedown and straight line test in Silverstone,” Riad said. “We will then go for further testing in two FIA-sanctioned test races in Jerez (Spain) from Feb 17-19 and Barcelona from Feb 25-28,” he added.
After Bahrain comes Australia, on March 28, and then Malaysia.
“We would love to bring the car back to Malaysia for the launch but it is just not possible with the schedule, but it will be here two weeks before the Malaysian leg, which is on April 2, 3 and 4,” Riad said.
Lotus are making their return to F1 after competing from 1958-1994, and are one of four new teams on this season’s grid.
They are based in Norfolk, England. — AFP