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Lotus Confirms Lookout for Sponsors

Although the two Malaysian companies Tune Group and Naza Group have secured the financial scheme for the Lotus F1 Team for the 2010 Formula One Championship – approximately 55 million euros – that isn't to mean the Norfolk based team is not looking for more sponsorship money in order to become successful next year.

As all Formula One fans probably know by now, having a big budget throughout the season is decisive in the team's strategy to keep the pace with the latest aerodynamic developments in the series. No car has ever finished the championship having the same aerodynamic devices as when in the first race, because the teams would constantly develop updates to improve throughout the season.

Updates cost money, and the 55 million euros don't look like much of a budget when taking all this into account. Therefore, the team is pushing hard to secure at least 2 or 3 important partners for 2010, with oil giant Petronas regarded as their main target. Why? The fact that both companies are Malaysian says quite a lot.

What is wrong with asking for sponsors from GLCs like Petronas? If Petronas can sponsor a foreign F1 team, why should the national petroleum company not sponsor a local team?” rhetorically asked Lotus F1's team director Kamarudin Meranun, according to the Bernama news agency.

Meranun also revealed that a number of Malaysian engineers offered their services for a lower fee, which will add to the team's low-cost strategy for 2010. The team is yet to appoint their race drivers for the upcoming year, but technical director Mike Gascoyne already set his aims for 2010: the best of the newly entrants and a Top 10 spot in the overall constructors' classification.
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