Lotus F1 Team to Use Cosworth Engines, Backed by Malaysian Government

When announcing the 13th entry for the 2010 Formula One Championship, the FIA actually confirmed what has been rumored in the international media for quite some time now. National teams seem to gain ground in the Great Circle, as Team Lotus F1 is nothing but a disguised 1Malaysia F1 Team Sdn Bhd.

Following Force India and US Grand Prix Engineering, 1Malaysia F1 Team will benefit from full-financial backing from their home country. The team is to be based in Norfolk, UK – some 10 miles from the Lotus Cars factory but will be backed by the Malaysian Government and a consortium of Malaysian entrepreneurs.

Although the company will bring the name of Lotus to Formula One for the first time since 1994, the team will actually use Cosworth power plants in their debut year in the series – no surprise the FIA picked them for the 13th entry, remember the Cosworth allegations a few months ago.

“The team’s future design, R&D, manufacturing and technical centre will be purpose built at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit,” said the press release from the FIA.

“Team Principal Tony Fernandes is the founder and CEO of the Malaysian-based Tune Group, owner of the Air Asia airline. The team’s Technical Director Mike Gascoyne has over 20 years of experience in Formula One having previously performed the same role for the Force India, Toyota, Renault and Jordan Formula One teams,” added the statement.

Aside from the engine deal with British engine manufacturer Cosworth, the newly-entrants have also signed technical partnerships with Xtrac and FondTech.