However, as compared to the Spanish team, Lotus F1 did not disclose the actual name of the driver. According to team boss Tony Fernandes’ twitter page, Lotus F1 already signed one driver – whose name will be revealed soon – while technical director Mike Gascoyne hinted who will be the team’s reserve driver.
“Public announcement soon. The dream continues,” announced Fernandes on his twitter page.
“Fairuz (Fauzy) will be in the team probably as a reserve driver or a test driver. He has the talent but we don't want him to 'crash and burn' in the race because of his inexperience,” added Gascoyne in an interview with Malaysia’s The Star, therefore ending the Malaysian fans’ hopes of seeing one of their own in an F1 cockpit next year.
As for the confirmed driver, F1 veteran Jarno Trulli is the most likely candidate, as the Italian has worked successfully with Gascoyne back when the Brit was technical head for Toyota.
With the Japanese manufacturer out of Formula One at the end of the year, Trulli and teammate Timo Glock have remained without a contract for 2010. While Glock is linked with a potential move to Renault or Manor F1, Trulli showed a quite relaxed face these days. He is due to test a MWR-prepared car in the NASCAR series next week, but insisted that his chances of remaining in F1 in 2010 are close to 100%.
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