Lotus F1 Team: a comprehensive update on the progress of the project
Lotus has unveiled a model of its future single-seater, intended for wind tunnel testing. With the start of the next season set for about 5 months from now, the team faces a true race against time to get its first car on track under its new Malaysian colors. Lotus technical director, Mike Gascoyne, claims that […]
Lotus has unveiled a model of its future single-seater, intended for wind tunnel testing. With the start of the next season set for about 5 months from now, the team faces a true race against time to get its first car on track under its new Malaysian colors. Lotus technical director, Mike Gascoyne, claims that the rapid completion of the model is a major achievement for the team, despite its somewhat unfinished appearance.
The first wind tunnel tests are an important step in the development of a new F1 car, but it’s particularly exciting for us as we continue preparations for our first season, smiled Gascoyne. We have been very busy since our entry was confirmed by the FIA. We had worked on this point (before the entry) for several months, so we already had aspects of the team infrastructure in place; finances, the factory, and senior management. Since our entry was confirmed in mid-September, we have been able to speed up our recruitment as well as the car development process. That’s where we are at the moment.
The team will be ready for the start of the next season in Bahrain and Mike Gascoyne is pleased, but he admits there are still many challenges to face as for any new team. “We cannot avoid the obstacles, but I am confident that we will overcome them and that we will be ready,” stated Gascoyne. “Our goal is to run the car for the first time in mid-February. That way, we can complete our pre-season preparation before Bahrain in mid-March.”
Regarding the line-up, Gascoyne explains that he primarily wants drivers who are technically involved and capable of contributing to the car’s development. Jarno Trulli seems to be the frontrunner. The Italian veteran has already collaborated with Gascoyne at Jordan, Renault, and followed him to Toyota. The second seat seems reserved for Fairuz Fauzy, a Malaysian driver competing in World Series Renault and having won a race in A1GP. Some rumors claim that he has signed a pre-contract with the team.
«We are looking very closely at the driver market to determine our best options, which includes Malaysian drivers, but no decision has been made yet,» stated Mike Gascoyne. «We need versatile drivers; fast drivers who can develop the car throughout the season. These drivers must also be hungry and capable of extracting everything the car can give, all the time.»
Financially, Lotus appears very solid. The main partnership is actually comprised of Proton and Lotus, creating the entity 1Malaysia F1 Team (1MF1T). However, the team will race under the name Lotus F1 Team, which is much more appealing and therefore profitable. The 1MF1T group is owned and funded jointly by Proton, Lotus, Tune Group, Naza Group, and finally Litespeed. The group is supported by the Malaysian government, though it is not involved in the budget. The team has a starting capital of 35 million euros while the team’s annual operating budget is estimated at 61 million euros. But this is only the beginning, as the team is heavily investing in its future facilities. The cost of these is estimated at several hundred million euros, spread over several years.
Lotus has entered into technical partnerships with the Sepang University of Technology (UTM) and the Petronas Technical University (UTP) to benefit from the high-tech human and technical resources that these two institutions can provide. “We have worked with Fondtech to develop the car’s aerodynamics, and also with Xtrac for the gearbox,” adds Mike Gascoyne. “We have an agreement with the engine manufacturer Cosworth, and we have agreements with engineering and composites firms established in Malaysia.” The agreements in question include a partnership with the Composites Technology Research Center (CTRM), a Malaysian manufacturer expert in composites. The latter works more specifically, but not exclusively, with Litespeed UK, responsible for the chassis design.
In terms of design, Mike Gascoyne leads operations from the technical center located at the heart of the Sepang circuit, and Litespeed is based in Norfolk, England. However, the team has already started developing the technical, research, and development center of the 1Malaysia F1 Team to focus its efforts. The facilities will form an eight-hectare complex at the Sepang International Circuit, which will include offices, factories, a wind tunnel, and all the required departments. The complex is being built department by department, and the first technical center is already operating at full capacity. The facilities are expected to be completed within two years.
Tony Fernandes, the current team boss, is fully satisfied with the way developments and partnerships are progressing. « I am happy to announce that every day, we deepen our relationships with CTRM and SIC (Sepang International Circuit), UTM and UTP. It is a great privilege to work with these institutions. »
The team will quickly integrate a Malaysian technical staff totaling 200 people who will be managed by Mike Gascoyne. 1MF1T already possesses a core of international experts across all required disciplines.
