The first thing that strikes when looking at the new car is its higher nose (as compared to its predecessor, the T127) similar to the ones seen on the new Ferrari F150 and Mercedes W02. In addition, the new car will be powered by a Renault V8 and will use a Red Bull-developed gearbox.
“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,” said the team's technical officer Mike Gascoyne when revealing his new creation.
“It is a much more contemporary design. The car really will be a midfield runner. It's a modern F1 car. There's been almost no carry-over of parts for the 2011 car – it looks substantially different from last year's car. It's the basis of our cars for the future,” he added about the car whose new livery reflects the squad's partnership with Renault, with the color yellow being more present.
Team principal Tony Fernandes was the first to announce the new challenger though his Twitter feed, confirming that the car will be named T128, rather than TL11.
“Why the change of name?” he wrote. “Because we are continuing with history. We are a new dynasty but tradition contiunes.”
“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,” added Fernandes in Team Lotus Notes.
Google News