Lotus will return to Formula One in 2010 after being handed the 13th team franchise on Tuesday, while the seemingly doomed Sauber may also be on the grid following a takeover deal.
Lotus, which has had legendary drivers such as Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Stirling Moss, Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna on its books, will be back on the circuit for the first time since 1994 after gaining the nod ahead of Sauber and Epsilon Euskadi.
However, world motorsport’s governing body the FIA has given Sauber a “reserve” place following the emergence of a new owner to take over from BMW, which is pulling out of F1 at the end of this season due to financial reasons.
The FIA also announced that it is hoping to persuade the other teams to expand the grid to 28 cars next year, thus allowing Sauber—which has been bought by Swiss-based Qadbak Investments Ltd—to compete.
“BMW Sauber will be entitled to fill any vacancy that arises on the 2010 grid,” the FIA said in a statement on Tuesday. CNN International
The Lotus team will be initially based in Norfolk, though its future design, research and development, manufacturing and technical centre will be purpose built at Malaysia’s Sepang International circuit.
In its new incarnation the team is a partnership between the Malaysian Government and a consortium of Malaysian entrepreneurs.
It will be led by team principal Tony Fernandes, the founder of the Malaysian-based Tune Group, which owns the Air Asia airline.
Mike Gascoyne - who has 20 years experience in the sport after working with Jordan, Renault, Toyota, and most recently Force India - returns to F1 as the team’s technical director.
“We are not just a small new team, we have the possibilities to be a very substantial team,” Gascoyne said. “And the FIA recognise that, combined with the name and that we’re also a team based outside Europe.
“When you look at the calendar now, the centre of F1 is changing. With all that’s happening in the sport, this is a very good news story for F1.
“Next year will be a huge challenge… we will be releasing the car late, and that has reliability aspects. But we’ll target being the best of the new cars on the grid and I would hope by mid-season we are challenging the bottom rung of the current teams. That’s achievable.”
A statement from the Malaysian Government read: “The team will announce its two drivers by October 31 2009. Currently six local and international drivers have been selected,” said
And Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak added: “This is not only a dream, it is a reality. Malaysia is part of Formula 1 and we are determined to do our best to make our mark in this arena.
“I believe this is a meaningful development that will boost Malaysia’s image.” BBC Sport
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