FEBRUARY 12, 2010

Lotus unveils T127 in London

Lotus is the latest team to launch their 2010 Formula One chassis, unveiling it in London today at the Royal Horticultural Hall. The Lotus T127 uses the green and yellow colours that are remanisant of the legendary team in the 1950s and 1960s.

The team is now owned by the Malaysian businessman Tony Fernandes - the original team going out of business in 1994. He was joined in the presentation by Technical Director Mike Gascoyne, and drivers Jarno Trulli, Heikki Kovalainen and reserve driver Fairuz Fauzy.

Team Principal Tony Fernandes said, "I am extremely proud to be here today and to be able to show the world the fruits of the team's hard work over the last five months. It's humbling for me and my fellow shareholders, Kamarudin Meranun and SM Nasarudin to see how a team that five months ago didn't even exist is now a thriving workforce, full of enthusiasm and passion for Lotus Racing and the challenges ahead and capable of producing such a beautiful machine in such a short time."

"Now we've achieved two major milestones; confirming our entry and unveiling our car, but now the real work starts. Next we move on to testing and the season ahead and I'm confident that the team will exceed expectations wherever we go, and will do so on a wave of support around the world that has been growing daily since we first unleashed Lotus Racing back in September '09."

"I was thrilled when Clive (Chapman) said that this was just like te beginning of Lotus back in the early days. We know we have a huge burden on our shoulders, standing on the shoulders of giants - Clark, Moss, Hill, and Mansell. We know we have a tremendous journey in front of us, we are honoured and cherished to be a part of history - we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts and we will do our best to return Lotus to its glory days."

Technical Director Mike Gascoyne said, "The last few months have been some of the most challenging of my career, but it's been a challenge the whole team and I have thrived on since we first started work on the car up in Norfolk. I'm delighted that we've reached this point, and now we have a beautiful car that gives us a great base to work from for the season ahead and a fighting chance of going racing in the right way, with a winning mentality. The hard part starts now, and I know everyone in the team and I are up for whatever lies ahead."