The return of Lotus to F1 thanks to Litespeed

Lotus could return to the premier category of motorsports in 2010 if the British Formula 3 team Litespeed enters the championship next year. For this to happen, the team’s application must be accepted by the FIA. The decision will be announced on Friday.

The team principal of Litespeed, Nino Judge, and the director of engineering, Steve Kenchington, are both former employees of the Lotus team. They have obtained permission to use the Lotus name from its current owner, David Hunt.

« The Lotus team is synonymous with success in Formula 1 both in terms of engineering and innovation. The Lotus 25 was the first monocoque chassis in F1 and had the support of many sponsors. These two points help to understand the ambitions of the former Lotus team staff to return to the championship, » Judge said.

« David Hunt has been the guardian of Lotus for many years, and we thank him for entrusting us with the development of his team in the racing world of tomorrow. »

Litespeed has already enlisted the services of the company MGI Ltd, headed by former Toyota and Force India technical director Mike Gascoyne, to work on the project of a Formula 1 team. He himself is pleased with the plans to revive the Lotus name in Formula 1.

« I was born and raised in Norfolk. For me, continuing my F1 career with the Lotus team and trying to revive it in F1 is a wonderful feeling. I will be extremely proud to do so, » stated Gascoyne.

Litespeed has also recruited the former Lotus F1 driver, Johnny Herbert, as a driver manager and commercial ambassador for the team.

Lotus, which withdrew from Formula 1 at the end of the 1994 season, remains one of the greatest successes in the history of the sport. The team won seven constructors’ titles as well as drivers’ titles with Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt, Emerson Fittipaldi, and Mario Andretti.

The FIA will announce the list of teams selected for 2010 on Friday, June 12, with a maximum of 13 teams on the starting grid.