Lotus is a famous name in F1, but the fame refers to the Lotus team that raced between 1958 and 1994, winning seven Constructors' titles and six drivers' championships. The team of that era included some of the most iconic drivers' in F1 history; Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt, Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna. The great Lotus team of the past is described in detail in the Legends section within the description of Colin Chapman, who was the inspirational founder of Lotus.

The team that made its race debut in the 2010, is not in any meaningful sense the old Lotus team. It is a team set up by a group of Malaysian businessmen that are licensed by the owners of Lotus Cars Proton to use the Lotus name in F1. [The team is involved in a legal dispute over the name, and another F1 team, formally Renault, is also using the name].

Lotus Racing's debut season was shockingly poor, such made less embarrassing for the team by two other new entrants, Virgin Racing and Hispania Racing 'performing' at even a lower standard.  For F1 fans it's great to have a Lotus team on the track, but unless the team is revolutionized and becomes credible it is merely a silliness to use an historic Mark when the team lacks the ability to live up to such.

2011 Formula One Testing Circuito de Jerez, Spain 10th Feb 2011 Jarno Trulli, Team Lotus Renault T128.	Jarno Trulli, Team Lotus Renault T128  Heikki Kovalainen, sign their autographs for fans.	2011 Formula One Testing Circuito de Jerez, Spain12th Feb 2011 Heikki Kovalainen, Team Lotus Renault T128.
©2011 Team Lotus	©2011 Team Lotus	©2011 Team Lotus

Lotus Facts and Stats
 

A number of highly successful Malaysian entrepreneurs and the Malaysian Government privately funds Lotus Racing. It was anticipated that the team would relocate its engineering base to purpose built facility in Sepang International Circuit, however, to date the team remains in the UK.  

The car was developed very quickly, engines supplied by Cosworth and gearboxes from Xtrac. The team opted for experience drives; Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen.

The car was very slow, gaining no points throughout the 2010 season, and when finishing races normally doing so laps behind the leading cars. Nevertheless, the team did record a 12th and 13th place in Japan.

The 2010 season was very poor, however, the team did build a car quickly, and debut seasons are very tough. The team have invested considerable sums in development throughout 2010 and the off-season, and have recruited a number of experienced personnel to enhance the engineering capacity of the team. A two-year deal with Renault to supply engines will certainly increase the power available and the new wind tunnel should greatly aid the aerodynamics of the 2011 car. 

The team CEO Riad Asmat has publically stated the aim in 2011 is to be a midfield performing car, if such is achieved it will be a huge step forward from 2010 and would create further momentum for the coming years. The middle order is crowded with good car and driver combinations and ambitions to join such are expressed by all the lesser teams. The driver line up is safe but neither Trulli nor Kovalainen are regarded as drivers that get the most out of a car, and both seem to lack burning ambition.  Perhaps the introduction of a new talented young ambitious driver would be a better option than drivers that have let opportunities pass without impressing.

The team is much in the news due to the ongoing dispute over the naming rights of the team. The brand name is clearly very important, but it will mean very little if the team do not perform on the track. The court action is complex, with a trial date set for March 20011. It seems possible that two teams will at least start the season using the name Lotus. They have sensibly agreed to use different liveries. Lotus Racing will colour the cars green and yellow, and Lotus Renault GP, black and gold.

The team will find it hard to match the glories of the past.............

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