SEPTEMBER 2, 2010

Lotus: Cosworth or Renault?

Stories intensified in Belgium that a deal has been concluded for Lotus Racing to switch to Renault engines next year.

The catalyst for the change is understood to be the reliability problems Lotus has suffered in 2010, principally with gearbox hydraulics rather than any issues with the team's current Cosworth engines themselves. It is understood that the supply of a Renault gearbox is also part of the deal.

Speaking in Belgium, chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne said of the Lotus return: "We would have been much happier being more reliable. That has been a disappointment to us. Some of it has been out of our control through outside suppliers and we have got to make sure we put that right for next year

"Gearbox and hydraulics have been a particularly weak area. We haven't had the resources to put all the fixes in place and I think we have been let down by some suppliers who have not done as good a job as they should have done. But you cannot make excuses. You have to put things right."

Asked directly about the power situation, however, Gascoyne said: "We're using Cosworth engines, we've been very happy with their performance this year, their first year back in F1. I think as teams we always evaluate every option that's out there but at the moment we're very, very happy with Cosworth and the job they have been doing."

Although the Renault deal is said to have been done, Lotus is understood to have a three year supply contract with Cosworth.