Lotus unveil their F1 car – T127

Posted by Harry on February 13th, 2010 | No Comments

Lotus, the charismatic company founded by Anthony Colin Chapman (his initials can be found on Lotus’ logo) have returned back to F1 with their new T127 F1 car. Sporting the trademark (and historic) British racing green and yellow, it restarts Lotus’s return to the sport after its exit in 1994. Backed by Malaysian Air-Asia, the car will be driven by Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen. Tony Fernandes is the team principal for Lotus F1.

The T127 was unveiled in front of 400 guests at the Royal Horticultural Hall in London. The full team staff were in attendance. “It is only five months since we were given an F1 entry – nobody gave us a hope of making the grid, so this is a fairy story for us,” said Tony Fernandes, Lotus team principal. “I signed as a sponsor for Williams four years ago through Air Asia, and they gave me the bug and inspiration to be here today. I just had to do more.

The Lotus Racing T127 is powered by Cosworth engine and will use an Xtrac gearbox and, in line with all 2010 teams, will be running on Bridgestone tyres.

Technical director Mike Gascoyne added: “This is a special car because it brings Lotus back. I went to school down the road from where the team is based, so this is a very special moment on a personal level too. “I remember when we got the go ahead to race this year. We started with four people five months ago, and we sat and looked at each other and thought ‘What the hell do we do now?’”.

Kovalainen said: “It’s been a huge effort for the team just to be here. I doubted Lotus at the startm but this is for real. We’ve come a long way, and I can’t wait to drive it.” Trulli added: “It may be a very different Lotus, but it’s great to have the name back. I’m really fired up. It’s a huge challenge, but I’m up for it.”

Fernandes also stressed the teams historic roots, saying: “Colin Chapman’s family have given us their blessing, and they have been involved with the creation of this team all the way.” It is a season for Briton as the last two world champions, Mclaren, Lotus and many more teams are based out of the UK. This is one important sport for the nation. With Virgin pulling out of the second day with a wing failure, lets see what first-timers Lotus can achieve.