Lotus Renault GP Debuts Type 125 Formula 1 Race Car

Photo Credit: Lotus Renault GP

Receiving notoriety as perhaps the official team relating to Lotus sports cars, the Lotus Renault GP organization is the result of a new cooperation by the former Renault F1 team and Group Lotus. Creating a messy situation as the start of the 2011 Formula 1 season draws close to the March 13th command to start engines in Bahrain. Two Lotus teams (Team Lotus being the other) will be placing four cars on the Formula 1 grid powered by Renault engines. Thankfully, the look of the two Lotus teams will be distinct in livery. Team Lotus will wear green and yellow colouring while the Lotus Renault GP cars will be identified in a regal black and gold recreating the appearance of the original Team Lotus' John Players Special of the late 1970 to mid 1980s.

Wearing the new Lotus Renault GP look, the Type 125 has been revealed for the upcoming Grand Prix season. Said to be blending the expertise of Renault, Lotus and team partner Genii Capital, the Renault Lotus GP Type 125 race car will definitely be the crown jewel of the British brand's diverse return to motorsports. Including among items the movable rear wing now allowed by the FIA, the Renault Lotus GP is also wearing the new Pirelli Formula 1 slick tires.

Returning drivers from the Renault F1 team's 2010 campaign, Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov will pilot the Type 125 on the 2011 Grand Prix schedule. Both drivers will be the cornerstone to a team's stride to improve beyond the past team's 5th place finish in the F1 Constructor Championship. Renault Lotus GP also announced a new third driver joining the team for 2011. Bruno Senna (who spent most of last season competing with the HRT Formula 1 team) follows his legendary late uncle Ayrton Senna as a Lotus Formula 1 car driver. It appears that Bruno Senna is following a similar path to his uncle who too started his Formula 1 career outside of Lotus. Ayrton Senna debuted with short-lived Formula 1 team Toleman but moved to Lotus in 1985 where his legacy was launched.

With Formula 1 reshaping the 2011 Formula 1 rules to allow KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), Lotus is relishing the opportunity to allow their Type 125 Formula 1 race car to their future production sports cars. Four of the next five Lotus sports cars planned for the street over the next 4 years (Esprit, Elite, Elan and Eterne) will have a KERS option.  

Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar has been quite aware that the rather public dispute between the two Lotus teams is controversial but has been a formal declaration saying "I’m delighted to be able to formally clarify our position: We are Lotus, and we are back.”





Photo Credit: Lotus Renault GP





Photo Credit: Lotus Renault GP



Photo Credit: Lotus Renault GP



Lotus Blooms as 2012 IndyCar Engine Supplier

Photo Credit: Chris Jones

For the second time in two weeks, the esteemed press and observers of the IZOD IndyCar Series were enlightened to yet another encouraging sign for the future of the open wheel organization. Surprising many with an announcement, Lotus Cars has officially become the 3rd engine supplier slated to be powering the upcoming 2012 IndyCar Series vehicles.

Revealed Friday at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show in the presence of IndyCar Series CEO Randy Bernard, Lotus Cars CEO Dany Bahar and IndyCar racing legend Parnelli Jones, the announcement involved not only the admittance to supplying engines but also confirming a previously-stated intent to offer a body kit to the Dallara chassis in 2012.

Since the formulation of the new car rules, it was more than likely Lotus was clamouring for a greater role in the IZOD IndyCar Series. Throughout this year, Lotus had a technical cooperation with the KV Racing team. In part of that agreement, the green and yellow colours of Lotus had been worn through the 2010 campaign by KV Racing's #5 car of Takuma Sato. Of course most notably, Lotus Racing has also reactivated as a Formula 1 competitor as one of three new teams joining the grand prix grid this past season. 

Through the 1960s, Team Lotus founder Colin Chapman launched an all-out charge to take the world's greatest oval racing event. Making a first stand at the 1963 Indy 500, the rear-engined Lotus race cars piloted by Formula 1 legends Jim Clark and Graham Hill would both have their pictures mounted on the Borg-Warner Trophy. Clark brought Lotus to the first ever victory at the Brickyard for a rear-engined open wheel car in 1965 with Graham Hill repeating for Chapman's team in 1966.

While Lotus' victory at the Indy 500 quickly led to complete adoption of rear-engine configuration on Indy cars, a two-year stint of 1967 and 1968 saw technology which would never again visit the Brickyard. Running a gasoline-powered turbine Indy car, Parnelli Jones almost won the 1967 race if it had not been for a late race mechanical failure. In 1969, Mario Andretti charged to the Indy 500 in a four-wheel drive Lotus but the car was lost in a crash prior to the 500-mile race. Andretti won the 1969 Indy 500 in a modified Brawner-Hawk chassis.

A part of such a rich racing past, Dany Bahar provided details on why Lotus has decided for a return to North American open wheel racing. "We believe in the series. We believe the series is developing very, very well. I think it fits perfectly very well our activities and strategies in the U.S., which is our biggest market."


With KV Racing being a likely client of the Lotus engines and aero kits, it is too early to identify which teams will opt for the components of the British-based organization but it will certainly not be an exclusive deal. Rules set out by the IndyCar ICONIC committee behind the 2012 race machine was to require any aero kits to be available to other teams.

While supplying chassis parts is not new for Lotus, it remains interesting to ponder how Lotus will develop an engine in just one year. As a sports car builder, many of Lotus' powerplants for production cars were harvested and modified from other company designs (The Lotus Elise and the upcoming 2013 Esprit borrow engines from Toyota Motor Company). Lotus does have experience as well as resources in building their own production powerplants (the Lotus 900 and the twin-turbo used on the Esprit V-8 are two examples).

Looking forward to about 15 months time, Lotus' Bahar states "We want to compete. We would like to design our own cars and hopefully maybe other teams can profit from our design capabilities. That's why we start already from today investing money and also capacities in developing the right aero kit and engine for 2012".

Renault Engines Officially with Lotus F1 Team in 2011

Photo Credit: Lotus Racing

Having been the worst kept secret of the Formula 1 paddock (if it was ever a real secret), Lotus Racing has confirmed on Friday the 2011 edition of their grand prix cars who run with Renault power. Furnished by Renault Sport, the French company will replace the Cosworth powerplants Lotus used to reenter the Formula 1 tour.

As the announcement broke, Lotus Racing's team principal Tony Fernandes is quite aware for engine deal's announcement came as no shock to any Formula 1 observer. “I am absolutely delighted that we can now officially talk about the partnership with Renault. There has obviously been a great deal of speculation about which engine will be powering our cars from 2011 and now the announcement has been made I think everyone can see just how ambitious we really are." Fernandes said in the team's news release. The Renault engine deal was first thrown through the rumour mill during late summer but the speculation was heated up later when Lotus Racing announced they would receive gearboxes and other components from Red Bull Racing (a team powered by Renault engines).

Mike Gascoyne, who worked with the Renault F1 as a technical director for three seasons starting in 2001, was enthusiastic about this new involvement with his old employer. "Having worked with Renault before I know exactly what they will bring to our team and I am delighted that they will be playing an integral role in the next chapter of our story. The engine itself gives our designers, engineers and drivers an excellent platform to work with - it is very drivable, has good reliability and comes with a track support team who have a wealth of experience and knowledge. We are all looking forward to working with Renault and are very excited about the future for our partnership and our team.”

When the Lotus team joins the Formula 1 grid in 2011 with Renault power, the ignition will spark a reuniting of French and English companies. Among the many engine manufacturers the original Team Lotus utilized was Renault power between 1983 to 1986. As fate would have it, Lotus' founder Colin Chapman had negotiated the French engines in 1982 just prior to his untimely passing in December of that year. Partnered together in hopes to carry on the accolades under the English Formula 1 team's creator, the pairing united during times when future Formula 1 legends Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell drove Team Lotus colours (which were than John Players Tobacco black and gold). On the tail-end of their 4 seasons of Formula 1 action, Lotus-Renault's grabbed 5 grand prix victories (4 by Senna and 1 by Elio de Angelis). It seems fitting that the official announcement of Renault rejoining Lotus comes while the 2010 Formula 1 schedule blitzes into Ayrton Senna's home country of Brazil.

A second-year team with a full season of knowledge and in-race experience, the Lotus Racing (or Team Lotus) organization will be an exciting outfit to watch throughout the 2011 season.

Lotus Racing and Red Bull Racing Enter into F1 Gearbox Deal

Photo Credit: Lotus Racing

As the 2010 Formula 1 season has methodically drawn to a conclusion with four events still left to run, the freshman efforts of Virgin, HRT F1 and Lotus Racing remains in their own, slower class. In fact, not one car from the three before-mentioned team has even finished in the top-10 of any Formula 1 event. Running spec Xtrac gearboxes and identical Cosworth engines, these teams can operate on a lower-budget but   A tough deal for any hard-working auto racing team to accept season-long, the structurally-strongest member of the freshman contingency of Lotus Racing is already planning a radical shake up for 2011.

Having announced just recently the adoption of the 'Team Lotus' moniker starting next year, the Formula 1 organization has also been shopping for some new competitive hardware, namely an all-new engine. Late last week, Lotus Racing powerplant change for the 2011 season was confirmed  as the team and Cosworth confirmed a break up following the 2010 Formula 1 tour. Replacing Cosworth, questions on what engine manufacturer will supply the British racing green and yellow cars with power has fingered on the French automaker Renault.

Today, the Renault engines for 2011 seems all-but guaranteed through an indirect announcement relating to transmissions and other components. On their official Facebook site and Twitter, Lotus Racing presented a mild bombshell implying current Formula 1 constructor championship points leader Red Bull Racing will supply gearboxes and hydraulic systems to their efforts next season. Since Red Bull Racing runs Renault engines, it seems natural that Team Lotus will try to stay consistent with the dealer team.

Refurbishing their on-track commitment to Formula 1, this accompanies Lotus Cars' flashy appearance at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Indeed, we should expect some big things from the once world-class sport cars builder.

Team Lotus will be Officially Back in Formula 1 for 2011

Photo Credit: Lotus Racing

Going by the team name Lotus Racing since applying for their reentry into Formula 1 (the arguably strongest of three new 2010 Formula 1 teams), the green and yellow grand prix cars will compete with a new-old name of Team Lotus.

A hallmark presence in Formula 1, the first time Team Lotus was inducted into the high ranks of motorsports was when wizard engineer and Lotus Cars founder Colin Chapman campaigned his vehicles at the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix. Accumulating 79 grand prix victories, 7 Formula 1 constructor championships in 493 races until the team's shutdown after the 1994 season, The 2010 Lotus Racing team never wanted to consider themselves an unfaithful reuse of the British sports car name. However, since Lotus Cars was purchased by the Malaysian Proton group, the "Team Lotus" rights were within a separate entity controlled by Managing Director named David Hunt. Describing that an effort was made since the dissolving of the Team Lotus team after 1994, Hunt said "We had no idea of the huge difficulties we would have to overcome when I made that statement."

Now satisfied with the current Lotus Formula 1 organization, Hunt proudly announced willingly to allow the Team Lotus moniker back into the motorsport world. "The custodianship of the iconic brand and history now passes from me to Tony, Kamarudin and Nasa. In relinquishing this responsibility I am confident I am handing over to a team who have the financial resources, passion, energy, vision and long-term commitment to give Team Lotus the best possible chance of returning to the sharp end of the grid." Hunt Said.

Team principal Tony Fernandes shared the mutual satisfaction of claiming the iconic branding. "It was always important to us that Lotus Racing and Team Lotus could be brought together to unite the past and the present, and now we have done so."

With a new name for 2011, rumours are spreading that more changes might be upon the Team Lotus squad. Speculation surrounds the Cosworth engine within the Team Lotus Formula 1 cars could make way for another powerplant. Renault has been one name mentioned. 

Lotus F1 Racing Team Announces Driver Lineup for 2010

Photo Credit: Lotus F1

As the Lotus name returns the Formula 1 grid for the first time since 1994, the predecessor to the new team was a driving force of grand prix motorsports. Historic vehicles of Team Lotus are piloted by racing legends Jimmy Clark, Graham Hill, Mario Andretti, Aryton Senna, Nigel Mansell and Mika Häkkinen (all of which won F1 World Championship with or without Team Lotus). With auto racing pedigree of Team Lotus alumni, the motorsport world eagerly conjectured on who will be the team's drivers. Hosted by the Malaysia's Prime Minister Dato' Sri Najib Tun Razak, the awaited driver lineup for the 2010 Lotus F1 Racing team was presented in Kuala Lumpur.

Assembling the team's race day lineup for 2010 is Italy's Jarno Trulli and the Finnish driver Heikki Kovalainen. Possessing one grand prix victory a piece, Trulli and Kovalainen both come from top racing teams. Trulli arrives from the now defunct Panasonic Toyota Racing outfit while Kovalainen enters Lotus F1 Racing after driving two seasons as Lewis Hamilton's wingman at McLaren. Jarno Trulli commented on his signing with the team as "a privilege" and expresses a desire to "draw inspiration from the heritage of Lotus for our team". In reality, the Lotus F1 Racing starts 2010 as a brand new Formula 1 race team with only a name to bring itself recognition on the grid. Therefore, it was not surprising that the organization sought the veteran hands for their debut in competition. In fact, Kovalainen made a direct response in relations to the driver lineup by saying "I believe that appointing two drivers with the experience Jarno and I have shows how determined the team is to go racing in a truly competitive way, and our pairing sends out a very strong message to our competitors."

Third Lotus pilot, 27 year old Malaysian Fairuz Fauzy, completes the team's lineup as the test and reserve driver. Fauzy has proven himself in professional karting as well as A1 Grand Prix racing.

One of four new F1 teams for 2010, Lotus F1 Racing is currently well underway on building their 2010 race car which will make use of a spec Cosworth V8 engine and Xtrac transmission designed to reduce competitive costs. It will remain to be seen how well the new car, being primarily campaigned by a veteran driving force, will fare against the seasoned teams of Ferrari and McLaren; two teams that were once taking lessons from Team Lotus.

XSL Speed Reporter Interview: Jacques Villeneuve

Photo Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR

Perhaps the most accomplished Canadian race car drivers in history, Jacques Villeneuve holds an Indy 500 victory, CART/IndyCar title and a 1997 Formula One World Championship. An image of his father 1970-early 1980s Formula 1 legend Gilles Villeneuve, Jacques' driving style exhibited the same hungry aggression. The young Villeneuve was undoubtedly a benefactor of top flight racing outfits of the day, his name adorned the carbon fiber roll hoops of Players Racing machines in IndyCar and the leading Formula 1 operations of Williams F1 between 1996-1998.

With the 1997 Formula 1 World Championship serving as a highlight to any open wheel driver's career, the title seemingly brought a downturn to Jacques Villeneuve's career. Haunted in his 1998 F1 title defense by an uncompetitive Williams race car, continuing years with the than new BAR team (currently Mercedes Grand Prix) were not the rides Villeneuve had grown accustomed to in his earlier seasons. When BAR-Honda unceremoniously cut Villeneuve in the final races of 2003, Villeneuve went on to spend two seasons at BMW-Sauber enjoying limited success.

In late 2007, Jacques Villeneuve became one of many open wheel drivers who saw NASCAR as a chance to stay within the same continent as his home. While a full-time campaign was planned in 2008 with Bill Davis Racing, financiers backed out of a sponsorship deal leaving Villeneuve on the sidelines.

For 2009, Jacques Villeneuve received his annual invite to Montreal's NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Again driving for the capture Braun Racing in the #32 Dollar General Toyota, it's needless to say the only Canadian visit with NASCAR's second-best division is eagerly awaited by Villeneuve.

Within the important late August weekend, I was granted an opportunity to have Jacques Villeneuve answer some of my questions on his racing career. Please enjoy the results from this brief interaction in the following Q &A:


Question: Endeavouring into music, a fine dining restaurant, and most significantly into becoming a father, do you look at your auto racing career in a different light than compared to 10 years ago?

Answer: I was born into racing and it is in my blood. I have been blessed in and lucky to live many different experiences outside of racing (most of it thanks to racing). I have always be passionate about music and will stay involved but it comes after racing. My 2 kids have become my priority and somehow they make me want to race even more and harder. They remind me of growing up admiring my dad and of the great childhood I had.


Q: While being one of more decorated open wheel drivers to attempt a transition to stock car racing, what attracted you to pursue a career in NASCAR?

A: There are 2 great series in the world: F1 and NASCAR and both are are the opposite ends of the spectrum. NASCAR is amazingly challenging. I always enjoyed oval racing from my IndyCar days and winning the Indy 500 in 95 got me into F1.


Q: Without the resources of the Players' Driver Development program which had fostered outstanding Canadian driving talent including yourself and others, do you believe the crop of future drivers face an even tougher road into professional racing?


A: There are many driver development programs out there. Some of it is luck or timing and allot is about going to get what you want. It takes hard work and always has. Times change, but there are always opportunities for those who work hard for it.


Q: With major open wheel racing in North America reformed under a single sanctioning body for the first time since you won the Indy 500 and overall series championship in 1995, would you consider a return to IndyCar racing? Even if only for the Canadian leg?

A: IndyCar is still damaged and not what it used to be. The healing process hopefully has started as it was a great series that opened doors to F1 to a few drivers.


Q: There have been reports that you're expressing interest for rejoining Formula 1 next year. Is this option a serious possibility? Is the rule changes in the series provoking a return?

A: The priority right now obviously is F1 and NASCAR but I would not be against a return to IndyCar in the right conditions. I just love racing.


Q: Having driven cars in almost every form of motorsports, what type of auto racing brings you the most sense of thrill?

A: Really all racing is fun, even did some front wheel drive touring car at Spa and its still exciting. The different dynamics make it both challenging to drive and to read the handling to make it better. But ultimately nothing compares to the sheer cornering speed of an F1.



Jacques conversing with Boris Said
during the 2009 NASCAR weekend
in Montreal.
Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images

Q: Taking into account the magnitude of racing on a famous course named after your father, driving for Braun Racing to a top finish in this year's NAPA Auto Parts 200 was a definite crowd pleaser. How much does it mean to you and your team to finish well in the Nationwide race? Would it be more important professionally or personally?

A: Montreal is an extremely important race whatever series I race it in. It is my backyard. The expectations are high having raced on it 12 times. It is difficult to quantify the professional importance of a road course in NASCAR as there are only 2 non-oval races a season but a good result would definitely be a step in the right direction. Ultimately what is needed to move forward in NASCAR is good oval results.


Since conducting the interview, The 2009 running of the Napa Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to palce amounted to a thrilling affair to the Canadian crowd. Besides the last lap pass Carl Edwards used to win the race, Jacques Villenueve delivered an impressive 4th place finish in the NASCAR Nationwide Series main event. Driving the #32 Toyota brilliantly all weekend, the French-Canadian driver proud performance deserves a real chance to show his stock car abilities at the highest NASCAR levels.

Opened to the notion of future tours in NASCAR, Speculation since the interview has Villeneuve seriously interested in rejoining the F1 circuit. With the addition of several new formula one teams to the 2010 grand prix grid, Jacques Villeneuve's name has been connected to USF1 as well as the Lotus F1 Team.