As you all know, Lotus Cars is currently being owned by Malaysian car company Proton. However, when asked about the national colors under which the new team will run in Formula One, the team's technical chief Mike Gascoyne revealed that a potential win of the Cosworth-powered T127 car would actually count for Lotus' 80th win in the series, rather than Lotus F1's 1st.
“Clive Chapman (Colin Chapman's son) asked (team boss) Tony Fernandes 'When you win will it be the first win for Lotus Racing or Lotus' 80th win?', and Tony was very clear -- it would be Lotus's 80th win,” said technical boss Mike Gascoyne, as reported by the GMM news agency.
However, as confirmed by the team's spokesman Tom Webb on Tuesday, it seems the guys at Lotus F1 Team have had a change of mind in recent days, as Lotus F1 Team will officially run under Malaysian license through the 2010 season. Meaning their first win will be followed by the "Negaraku", the Malaysian national anthem, rather than UK's God Save the Queen.
“We will race with a Malaysian license,” said Webb.
The F1 operation is based in Norfolk, where Lotus Engineering Ltd used to have their headquarters, but will be sustained in the Great Circus by money coming from Malaysian entrepreneurs. Additionally, the majority of the staff is formed of Malaysian-born officials, starting with the very CEO and team principal of the team Tony Fernandes.
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