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F1: The Lotus F1 Racing factory in UK (+photos)

12-4-2009

by R Fagnan

Information provided by Lotus

Lotus F1 Racing is one of four new additions to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship in 2010 and brings the legendary Lotus name back into Formula 1 for the first time in over fifteen years.


Lotus F1 Racing is flying the Malaysian flag in the championship with full support from the Malaysian government and its 1Malaysia initiative. The team is fully financed by Malaysian entrepreneurs, which gives the team a strong Malaysian character throughout all areas of its operation.

The team's top management is headed up by AirAsia founder and CEO Tony Fernandes in his role as Team Principal and Malaysian Riad Asmat, in the position of Chief Executive Officer.

First monocoque built.

Veteran engineer Mike Gascoyne oversees all technical development for the team in his position as Chief Technical Officer. Keith Saunt is Chief Operating Officer and Paul Craig has been named General Manager (UK).

Lotus F1 Racing's initial production and race team base was at the established Racing Technology Norfolk (RTN) facility in the UK. The factory is conveniently located just ten miles from the Group Lotus headquarters.

In the initial stages of car development, the team has established technical partnerships with aerodynamics specialists Aerolab and Fondtech as well as gearbox specialists Xtrac.

The team also collaborates with two Malaysian universities - Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) for engineering and composites support.

As the team prepares for its debut season in Formula 1 in 2010, Lotus F1 Racing will operate from the 50,000 square foot facility in Hingham, UK, a fully equipped factory.

Crash test of the nose cone.
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