Lotus F1 persbericht

[Stéphane]

Ik kreeg vandaag dit persbericht binnen:

Team Lotus and 2010 Formula 1

Group Lotus plc and its subsidiary Lotus Cars Limited, the manufacturer of the iconic Lotus Elise and global high technology engineering consultancy, are not connected or affiliated to, nor in any other way associated with the newly announced "Team Lotus" that has submitted an entry for the 2010 Formula 1 championship. Group Lotus plc will take all necessary steps to protect its name, reputation and brand image.

Lotus will continue to focus on the tremendous worldwide opportunities that exist for its core businesses. Lotus Cars has recently launched the stunning new Evora 2+2 global sportscar to great acclaim and deliveries to the first customers are imminent. The company is pulling all stops to ensure production meets demand. Lotus Engineering, one of the market leaders in automotive green transport solutions, is currently working with many of the world's vehicle manufacturers on state of the art projects with plans of growth in its international targeted markets such as Malaysia, China, USA and India.

Wat mij dan verbaast is het vetgedrukte deel. Wie heeft dan in hemelsnaam een Team Lotus F1 ingediend? Ik vind het een beetje een raar verhaal en ik hoop dat misschien iemand hier meer over weet?

[Wouter81]

Litespeed (een Engels F3 team) heeft de naam gekocht.

"Team Lotus is synonymous with great British engineering and F1 innovation, such as the Lotus 25 being the first monocoque chassis in F1 and the introduction of groundbreaking sponsorship, both of which easily demonstrate why ex-Lotus personnel would want to bring this championship-winning name back to the formula," said Judge.

"Litespeed was born from a similar British background - a factor that was at the core of Colin Chapman's beliefs and subsequent success.

"David Hunt has been the custodian of the name for so many years and we thank him for entrusting us not just with its safeguard but, more importantly, its development in the racing world of tomorrow."

The team had already revealed that former Tyrrell, Jordan, Renault, Toyota and Force India technical boss Mike Gascoyne had begun design work via his MGI organisation. Gascoyne also welcomed the news that the project would use the Lotus title.

"I am Norfolk born and bred," said Gascoyne. "For me to continue my F1 career under the banner of the Team Lotus name and help to bring it back to its deserving place in the world championship is a fantastic feeling and something that I am extremely proud to be doing."

Litespeed will base the Lotus F1 project in the RTN facility in Norfolk previously used by TOM'S and which later housed Audi and Bentley's Le Mans projects.

The team has also recruited Johnny Herbert, who raced for Lotus in F1 from 1991 to 1994, as a commercial ambassador and driver manager.

Founded by legendary designer and innovator Colin Chapman, the original Lotus team moved into F1 in 1958 after success in sportscars and Formula 2. It would go on to earn seven constructors' titles and take Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt, Emerson Fittipaldi and Mario Andretti to drivers' championships.

Its last race wins came with Ayrton Senna in 1987, after which its fortunes went into sharp decline - the famous team eventually closing its doors at the end of an uncompetitive and cash-strapped 1994 season.

Lotus is the third famous name to be associated with a prospective new F1 entrant for 2010, with other start-up projects having already announced plans to use the March and Brabham titles.

[Stéphane]

OK. Bedankt. Blijft dan toch een beetje een raar verhaal...Ik krijg er een beetje het Daewoo -> Chevrolet verhaal bij

[Stéphane]

Zo te lezen doen ze in 2010 niet mee. 3 nieuwe Teams (Team US, Manor en nog eentje) maar geen Lotus.

[DownforceJitse]

Lotus zou ze moeten toejuichen!

Zo van, bedankt en ons kost het niets---> Maar iedereen wil ineens wel een 'lotus' kopen....

[allen]

Mwoah, iedereen. Die hokken zijn veel te zwaar. Ik ben meer van de lightweights.

[Stéphane]

Lotus zou ze moeten toejuichen!

Zo van, bedankt en ons kost het niets---> Maar iedereen wil ineens wel een 'lotus' kopen....

Ja, gratis reclame van een prutsteam wat altijd achteraan rijdt waar ze zelf geen invloed op kunnen uitoefenen. En wat je imago totaal door de gootsteen kan helpen.

Dat lijkt me goede reclame inderdaad

[RJay]

Mwoah, iedereen. Die hokken zijn veel te zwaar. Ik ben meer van de lightweights.

Idd, luxebakken. Lijken wel caddilacs.

[Luuk]

Kortom, over 4 jaar alle lotussen nog alleen maar met de bekende 'flippers' te koop.

[Roy]

Zo te lezen doen ze in 2010 niet mee. 3 nieuwe Teams (Team US, Manor en nog eentje) maar geen Lotus.

Lola toch?