Jarno Trulli admits he has taken a bit of a gamble by joining Lotus Racing, but is glad to be part of something special with the reborn F1 team.
The Norfolk-based outfit on Friday launched their new T127 car for the 2010 season, which begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir on March 14.
Lotus Racing were only awarded their place on the grid in September, and it is an achievement in itself for the team to have their car ready for next week's latest pre-season test at Jerez.
Trulli, though, feels the latest incarnation of one of the sport's iconic names has a bright future.
"What has happened is really an achievement," said the 35-year-old former Toyota racer.
"When I first walked into the factory, I said 'wow, there is nothing. How can a Formula One car be ready in four months?'
"At the end of the day, I had to take a kind of a gamble but, on the other hand, I knew these guys were presenting a brand which is second only to Ferrari in motor sport.
"We all have a big responsibility, and that is why this has happened, with people who are all serious about it.
"We cannot aspire to join the club this year and straight away be the best, but we know what our goals are.
"You will not believe the atmosphere we had at Silverstone where, for the first time in 16 years, the green and yellow car with the Lotus brand hit the track for the first time.
"That was something really special, now we have to learn and get the whole team rolling."
