Lotus Racing, who are having a successful start to their season, especially compared to the other new teams, head to race this weekend which has a particular resonance.
Malaysia is the home grand prix for the reincarnated Lotus Racing team, and after Heikki Kovalainen finished thirteenth last weekend in Australia, deputy team principal SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin is looking forward to another solid performance. “We expect the race in Sepang this weekend to be another exciting outing for Lotus Racing. Heikki's finish, just three places away from earning our first point in Melbourne, gives us a good boost for the coming race in Sepang,”
Yesterday, Jarno Trulli, Heikki Kovalainen and test driver Fairuz Fauzy unveiled the Lotus Cosworth T127 to Malaysian fans in Kuala Lumpa. Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Youth and Sports Minister Dato' Ahmad Shabery Cheek were at the homecoming celebration.
Speaking at the event SM Nasarudin said: “This is truly the proudest moment for all of us to be here right in the heart of our capital city Kuala Lumpur, sharing this moment with all Malaysians and together we make it a Malaysia celebration. This is the much awaited homecoming for Lotus Racing, as this is the first time that the Lotus Cosworth T127 cars are on Malaysian soil. There is nothing like being on your own home ground.”
Lotus Racing merchandise also become available for the first time this week, and the team are launching the Malaysia Chapter of the official Lotus Fan Club.
The Lotus Racing team was announced by Prime Minister Dato' Sri Najib Tun Razak in September 2009. Currently based in Hingham, Norfolk, the team launched its new car in London on 12 February 2010, exactly one month before its maiden race in Bahrain and five months to the day after they received confirmation of their entry into the 2010 Formula One World Championship.
A private investment by Malaysia's leading entrepreneurs, Lotus Racing's current partners and sponsors include Proton Holdings, which licences out the use of the Lotus brand name to the team, Tune Group of Companies, of which Team Principal Dato' Sri Tony Fernandes and Deputy Team Principal Dato' Kamarudin Meranun are co-founders, Naza Group of Companies of which SM Nasarudin is Group CEO, Bridgestone, Hackett and CNN. At the event yesterday the team also announced its latest sponsor, Maxis Berhad.
