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Lotus's first car 'pretty much on target'

Monday 9th November 2009

Lotus's 2010 challenger is coming along "pretty much on target", according to the team's technical chief Mike Gascoyne.

Lotus are one of four new teams that will line-up on the 2010 grid after the FIA opted to extend the field to 26 cars. The other new teams are Campos, Manor GP and USF1.

Preparations for their F1 arrival are well underway with Gascoyne revealing that the team is on target, with plans to shakedown the car for the first time in February.

"Some areas are going well and some other areas are a bit slower. But in general, car-wise, we are pretty much on target," Gascoyne said.

"We started laying up the first chassis last week, which is bang on schedule. That will be in the workshop in the first week of January, so we are on target for a shakedown in the second week of February. That is what we always intended, which was good.

"With the wind tunnel model, we went testing with that in the last week or so, so that programme is up and running and making a lot of progress early on. Technically we are in good shape.

"With employing people, that is all happening. There is just a lot to do. The ancillaries, drivers, contracts, commercial matters, it is that that is snowing us under."

Your Comments

marmac97

"Yep, even though its a "Fake Lotus Team" BRG & yellow sounds good, not so keen on the black and gold as that was colours of of the fag packets of John Player Specials their title sponsor of that era. Speaking of Fag company's, would n't it be great to have all the tobacco sponsorship money back in F1 :)"

ScotF1fan

"LOTUS... Lots Of Trouble & Usually Serious ( I know, my Exige is in the garage again!!. Seriously, the new team has nothing to do with Lotus cars or the 4th most successful team in the history of F1 (except in name)"

ravelloracing

"sorry xymoria. my money is on it white and boring like the 1991 lotus. or bright yellow without the camels!"

rusty

"The best thing "Lotus" can do, is to get shot of Mike Gascoyne. After all, this is the man responsible for taking Spiker and Force India down a technological black hole. It was when FI fired Gascoyne, and the car developed in a different direction, that they started to really make steps towards being podium contenders.

Give Gascoyne the heave-ho. "

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