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

An open plan design office with the capability of housing up to 70 designers exists on the first floor with conference facilities adjacent. This floor also houses the offices for management and the support functions of Information Technology and Health and Safety as well as other administration functions.

Main floor of the race shop.

On the ground floor further offices for operational departments lie next to the machine shop, which comprises Computer Numerical Control (CNC) mills and lathes as well as manual machining centres, and support equipment.

A composites function boasts two modern autoclaves one big enough for the largest of F1 carbon components and both a large pattern shop (including 5-axis router) and an impressive clean room for laminating key car parts.


A fully equipped quality and inspection department is also on site which opens onto the race shop where the cars will be built, re-built and prepared for racing.

The other race team support functions of sub-assembly, gearbox, hydraulics and electronics are all nearby.

Model car in the wind tunnel.

Photo Credit : Lotus