Click to enlarge
Team Lotus’ 2011 F1 car, the T128, was launched today exclusively in Team Lotus Notes. The special launch edition of the team’s magazine contains a number of first-see images of the 2011 car.
Also in the magazine are insights from key players within Team Lotus into the design and build process of the new car, including people from the aero, R&D and vehicle dynamics, design as well as from the senior management.
Click to enlarge
Here’s a sampling of what they had to say about the T128.
“I think that basically this car looks like a front-running car in every area. We said very clearly that we want to start challenging the established teams and I think that’s very achievable. The 2011 challenger is almost a totally new car.” – Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer.
“We’re definitely going to take a step forward with this car. Quite how much we’ll close the gap to the teams in front of us we’ll see, but my hope is we’ll be competing with the teams that were a second or two ahead of us last season.” – Elliot Dason-Barber, head of R&D and vehicle dynamics.
“You can just see that this car will be faster than last year’s. It’s got the right sweeps and curves on it – it’s the very latest iteration of what an F1 car should be.” – Keith Saunt, chief operating officer.
Click to enlarge
“The biggest design challenge was trying to package everything a bit smaller. We were trying to get that area around the driver really tight so the aerodynamicists were happy with it.” – Lewis Butler, chief designer.
“I think the front half of the car is quite a big step away from the 2010 car. Last year’s car was a bit blocky in the sidepod area, but this one looks a lot racier – it’s a lot smoother and curvier around the sidepods.” – Marianne Hinson, head of aerodynamics.
Click to enlarge
“T128 takes Team Lotus in exactly the right direction. We have said since day one of the Team Lotus dream that the plan for our second year was to take the fight to the midfield, and with this car we are all confident that is what we will be able to do.” – Riad Asmat, chief executive officer.
And of course, let’s not forget the man.
“There has been so much focus off-track, it’s a thrill to be able to get back to talking about racing. The launch of the T128 is a big step forward for Team Lotus and I want to thank the whole team for the amount of hard work that has already gone into the car, and I want to thank Renault and Red Bull Technology for their tremendous support in helping us make this step forward and for being such great team partners.” – Tony Fernandes, team principal.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
T128? not TL11?
All the best lads at Team Lotus !!
Jarno & co !!
Time to turn the tables as this is the best opportunity to go all out !!
why do i feel the proton logo is deliberately placed upside down…
There is no Proton logo, buddy :-(
that is team “fake” lotuslar
u r right bro!
tony team is not the ‘real’ lotus.
the real lotus is a ‘Car manufacturer’ !
but this fake lotus is about low cost flight and 2 star hotel only lorr.
support the real lotus wan!
nope..thats not fake lotus..
it was actual “team lotus” the very same team compete in f1 many years back…..its just different ppl running the team..thats all….
while lotus renault team was lotus factory…(the diff is…one was pure race team..one was factory of lotus cars)
I believe that soon you comment will be thumbs down by all the TF hater. They can’t differentiate between those two teams.
I believe this post will get more thumbs-down than his…
there’s no PROTON logo meh
What’s the matter with u..? Where have u been..? No Proton logo in any car in the F1 la..! And don’t have to try looking for it at Lotus-Renault GP car either. Proton is not sponsoring ‘directly’ in any F1 cars… except thru Lotus Group. Wake up dude..!
Eh?? There is no Proton logo on the car!
HAHAHAHAHAHA…. PROTONLOGO!!! hahahaha… funny lah you people…
that’s lotus logo darling~
that team lotus logo..inspired by lotus logo
No Proton logo in my view, my friend..may be the curve of the Lotus logo that’s similar like Proton.
Salam…
it’s not proton’s logo. it’s lotus acbc
is this team can be considered as lotus team since there’s only single tiny lotus logo on it??
heh, that could be the only Lotus logo they can put. Anything else, they’ll have to ask Dany Bahar :P
Fuh fuh, bring it! 2011’s gonna be interesting :)
Bring on Team Lotus (Tony & Mike ego) vs Group Lotus (aka new Lotus or Bahar’s Ponzi scheme!)!! May the best car win!
dunno…
since they claimed they have get the rights of the name from the previous owner of lotus f1 team, they declared as it. (although the real lotus does’t involve with them at all at this time).
personally, the lotus-renault should get the rights. not them. but, wait and see…
Does it matter how big the logo should be on the car? Look back into history, Team Lotus F1 car always feature quite a small logo on the front of the car. Oh well, pointless to explain it to anybody that have full hatred on the current team.
is it just me? or that it look like u r now ‘softly’ attacking anyone who didn’t agree with TF a.k.a Team Lotus… why is that? we can’t have our POV?
Just drop the logo and replace with Lotus flower, they can still call it Lotus Racing. So its Proton going to sue them again?
But Restoren Lotus will…
Oh, btw, didn’t put news about Ferrari’s F150 launch? They’re gonna get in trouble with docs again for that more-obvious-than-barcode Marlboro livery…
When’s Red Bull gonna unveil theirs?
true bro.. this year livery remind me more of Marlboro than the barcode ones.. can’t wait for the docs comment hahaha
sounds familiar…
oh! the lotus T-125 track car!
http://www.lotuscars.com/motorsport/en/lotus-exos-and-125
Looks like the LR8 energy drink has been renamed EQ8.
http://eq8energy.com/
Looks like some Tony or the other fella had a problem with trademarks and copyrights..
the original lotus always have PROTON backup!
here i give u the link of original lotus :P
http://www.lotusoriginals.com
Since 1996, yes it is. But prior to that, meh..
Why we are bickering whether TF should use Team Lotus brand name or not, even though he have bought it from the previous owner, the rest of the world are questioning Team Lotus decision on the use of split airbox on top of the car. If you care to remember, it was banned last year when Mercedes used it. Have Team Lotus found a loop hole?
got the name, but never get the soul
is split airbox intake allowed this season?
thats the spirit man!
The team has been studying the ’11 rules and regs since it was released. The airbox design is legal due to loopholes. We’ll see how it pans out during the season though.
They can have the name “TEAM LOTUS” but not the Lotus LOGO since their rights are for the name only…..
they have a Team Lotus logo la dumdum.
Mike Gascoyne is just lost for ideas in designing F1 racers, since Toyota days his designs look so similar especially the high nose front design. The 2010 car looks like a replica of the 2008 Toyota F1 racer. I guess the only good thing about the 2011 car is the Renault engine and gearbox. The rest of it is questionable and they will struggle with developements.
I don’t really think he ran out of idea,but Ferrari and Sauber also have high nose front design.
lol all f1 team have high nose
this 2011 Ferrari F150 and 2010 Ferrari F10 compared..much2 higher than last year
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ferrari_front_comparison.jpg
this yr im supporting Ferrari, Team Lotus n mercedes petronas…
if the team lotus could race faster than last year..it is because of they changed their engine to renault..