OCTOBER 5, 2010

Lotus agreed Red Bull drive train deal

Lotus Racing has agreed a deal with Red Bull Technology for the supply of gearboxes and hydraulic systems from the 2011 season and beyond.

The team has been plagued by transmission reliability issues throughout 2010, largely connected with hydraulics, and technical chief Mike Gascoyne said: "It's obviously a massive step forward for us, both in engineering terms, and as an expression of our ambitions for next year and future championships.

"The gearbox / hydraulics package obviously plays a critical role in the performance of the car, not just on track but in design and packaging terms, and this deal gives our design and aero teams a very exciting platform to work with. The removal of double diffusers in 2011 will allow the whole grid to tighten up the rear bodywork and mechanical structures around the gearbox, and this supply deal will allow us to capitalise on that. Exciting times lie ahead!"

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner added: "We are very pleased about Lotus Racing's decision to use Red Bull Technology gearboxes and hydraulic systems from 2011. The fact that Red Bull Technology has been chosen to be a supplier to another team despite its short history demonstrates how much we have achieved since our first season."