Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Kimi Raikkonen marks official return to F1 with Lotus test run [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/24/kimi-raikkonen-marks-official-return-to-f1-with-lotus-test-run/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/24/kimi-raikkonen-marks-official-return-to-f1-with-lotus-test-run/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/24/kimi-raikkonen-marks-official-return-to-f1-with-lotus-test-run/#commentsFiled under: ,

Kimi Raikkonen in Renault R30 at Valencia

Few drivers have caused the kind of speculation that Kimi Raikkonen has in the past few years alone. Will he take a Ferrari payoff and make way for Fernando Alonso? Will he find another ride in Formula One? Will he make it in the World Rally Championship? Will he make a real go of it in NASCAR? Will he ever come back to F1? And if so, with which team? Well, the speculation can now stop - or at least change focus - because the 2007 World Champion has officially returned to Formula One.

After signing on with the Lotus team (previously known as Renault, and before that as Benneton and Toleman), Raikkonen has had his first chance to get behind the wheel of a modern F1 car since leaving the Scuderia at the end of 2009. The test took place over the course of two days at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, Spain. But since driving the current car with current tires would constitute an unfair advantage under the present regulations, Kimi was stuck driving the 2010 Renault R30 on demonstration tires (probably from the GP2 series) with a fresh coat of paint (and a new helmet design).

The acclimation run appears to have gone smoothly enough, but we'll have to wait until the start of the season in March to see if Raikkonen's still got what it takes. Then Raikkonen will be squaring off against a huge field of fellow former World Champions, including Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. Follow the jump to watch the video clip.

Continue reading Kimi Raikkonen marks official return to F1 with Lotus test run [w/video]

Kimi Raikkonen marks official return to F1 with Lotus test run [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 renault r30f1formula 1formula onekimikimi raikkonenlotuslotus f1lotus f1 teamlotus renault gpr30raikkonenrenault r30ricardo tormoTue, 24 Jan 2012 09:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20154821/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/24/kimi-raikkonen-marks-official-return-to-f1-with-lotus-test-run/20154821/article-detail.xml 20154821 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/webkimi-lotus-valencia_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/webkimi-lotus-valencia.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus Renault GP calls Grosjean back up to partner Raikkonen]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/11/lotus-renault-gp-calls-grosjean-back-up-to-partner-raikkonen/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/11/lotus-renault-gp-calls-grosjean-back-up-to-partner-raikkonen/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/11/lotus-renault-gp-calls-grosjean-back-up-to-partner-raikkonen/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Romain Grosjean

Consistency is paramount in racing, but sometimes a thorough shake-up is called for. And that's what's taking place at the Lotus Renault GP team next season.

Not only is the team formerly known as Toleman, Benetton and Renault changing names once again to Lotus, but it's thoroughly shaking up its driver lineup as well. After the surprising announcement that former world champion Kimi Raikkonen is coming back to fill in for the injured Robert Kubica, the team revealed that it's called Romain Grosjean back up to the plate to take Vitaly Petrov's place.

The Franco-Swiss driver has longstanding ties to the team, having served as an official test driver since 2008. He was summoned to the race seat in 2009 when Nelson Piquet was ousted in the wake of the Crashgate scandal, but failed to score a single championship point in those seven races. Now with the experience of having taken the titles in the GP2 Series, the GP2 Asia Series (twice), and the Formula Three Euroseries, Grosjean is getting another shot at the big leagues.

What will happen with Petrov (or Bruno Senna, for that matter) remains to be seen, but given his talents - and the massive sponsorship dollars he brings from a key developing market - we wouldn't be surprised to see him find another ride for next season. Marussia Virgin Racing: we're looking at you, comrades.

Continue reading Lotus Renault GP calls Grosjean back up to partner Raikkonen

Lotus Renault GP calls Grosjean back up to partner Raikkonen originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Dec 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kimi Raikkonen

We expected Kimi Raikkonen to return to Formula 1, but we didn't expect it to be with Lotus. The 2007 world champion, as you may recall, left Ferrari and all of F1 at the end of 2009, competing in the meantime in the World Rally Championship and in NASCAR. Rumors of his potential return to F1 have been circulating ever since, and have now been confirmed by way of a two-year contract with Lotus Renault GP starting next season.

The Finnish driver's return answers a number of questions: For one thing, who would fill injured driver Robert Kubica's seat while he recovers. For another, Kimi was linked to a drive next season with Williams, leaving Rubens Barrichello - the oldest driver on the grid - to potentially continue for at least another season. With Kimi back behind the wheel next year, it should be an interesting season of F1 racing ahead. Follow the jump for the official announcement.

Continue reading Kimi Raikkonen returns to F1 with Lotus Renault GP

Kimi Raikkonen returns to F1 with Lotus Renault GP originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1formula onekimi raikkonenlotuslotus renault gpraikkonenrenaultTue, 29 Nov 2011 11:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20116667/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/29/kimi-raikkonen-returns-to-f1-with-lotus-renault-gp/20116667/article-detail.xml 20116667 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/kimi-raikkonen-lotus-gp_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/kimi-raikkonen-lotus-gp.jpg <![CDATA[Robert Kubica won't be coming back next season]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/25/robert-kubica-wont-be-coming-back-next-season/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/25/robert-kubica-wont-be-coming-back-next-season/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/25/robert-kubica-wont-be-coming-back-next-season/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Robert Kubica

You haven't forgotten about Robert Kubica already, now have you? Of course not. Who could, after all, forget the first Formula One driver ever to come out of Poland, and one of the most promising talents in the sport.

Unfortunately, Kubica's career was put on hold earlier this year when he suffered a devastating crash in a pre-season Italian rally that saw a roadside safety barrier impale his Skoda Fabia S2000 and partially sever his forearm. The injury took him out of the F1 season that was about to start, and sent the Lotus Renault GP team looking for a replacement, Nick Heidfeld brought in for the start of the season before being replaced by Bruno Senna.

A general lull in news subsequently fell over Kubica's recovery as he recuperated in private, but the team has now issued a statement that he won't be back in the cockpit for the start of next season. His recovery is apparently going well, just not that well: he's said to be able to move the injured arm, but moving is one thing - the rigors of driving a modern F1 car competitively is quite another. His management and team are discussing an extension of his contract that will expire at the end of next year so that Kubica can come back when he's ready, and are they are keeping the simulators and test cars running for when the time comes.

In the meantime, LRGP will have to choose who will fill Kubica's seat for another season. His Russian teammate, Vitaly Petrov, is confirmed through 2012, but whether the team opts to keep Bruno Senna in the race seat remains to be seen. Renault keeps a large roster of reserve drivers on call - including Romain Grosjean (who raced for the team in 2009 and is the reigning GP2 champion), Chinese up-and-comer Ho-Pin Tung (currently in IndyCars), former Le Mans Series and F3000 series champion Jan Charouz and Malaysian driver Fairuz Fauzy - but could, as with Heidfeld, bring in an experienced outside driver to fill the void.

Continue reading Robert Kubica won't be coming back next season

Robert Kubica won't be coming back next season originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1formula onekubicalotuslotus renault gprenaultrobert kubicaFri, 25 Nov 2011 10:25:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20113647/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/25/robert-kubica-wont-be-coming-back-next-season/20113647/article-detail.xml 20113647 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/kubica02_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/kubica02.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus, Renault and Virgin F1 teams change names for 2012]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/06/lotus-renault-and-virgin-teams-change-names-for-2012-f1-season/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/06/lotus-renault-and-virgin-teams-change-names-for-2012-f1-season/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/06/lotus-renault-and-virgin-teams-change-names-for-2012-f1-season/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lotus Renault GP

What's in a name? More than you might think, particularly in Formula One where two teams have been fighting for use of the Lotus moniker for a couple of years now.

The battle, as you may recall, involves two outfits - neither of them directly owned by Lotus. One is based in Malaysia and licensed the name from Lotus' parent company, Proton, before subsequently "acquiring" the name from a third party that laid claim to it. The issue was further complicated when Lotus itself teamed with the Renault F1 team (which also happens to supply engines to the other Lotus team), resulting in two squads called Lotus-Renault.

The two operations have now reached a compromise. The green-and-yellow Malaysian outfit known until now as Team Lotus be named Caterham in 2012 (having bought that company recently), while the Renault team will be cleared to use the Lotus name.

The move further distances Renault from direct involvement with any particular team, stepping back to a more traditional engine-supply role with teams like Lotus, Caterham, Williams and, of course, the world-champion Red Bull Racing team.

The F1 Commission also approved a name change for Virgin Racing, which will drop the name of Richard Branson's company from its official moniker and adopt that of Marussia, the Russian exotic carmaker that bought into the team last year. All three team name changes will require official ratification from the World Motor Sport Council of the FIA, but that's seen as a pro-forma step that isn't expected to derail any plans.

Lotus, Renault and Virgin F1 teams change names for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>caterhamf1f1 commissionfiaformula 1formula onelotuslotus renault gpmarussiamarussia f1marussia racingmarussia virgin racingrenaultteam lotusvirginvirgin racingwmscworld motor sport councilSun, 06 Nov 2011 14:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20099744/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/06/lotus-renault-and-virgin-teams-change-names-for-2012-f1-season/20099744/article-detail.xml 20099744 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/gu5g1811_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/gu5g1811.jpg <![CDATA[Senna in, Grosjean up, Heidfeld out at Lotus Renault GP]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/07/senna-in-grosjean-up-heidfeld-out-at-lotus-renault-gp/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/07/senna-in-grosjean-up-heidfeld-out-at-lotus-renault-gp/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/07/senna-in-grosjean-up-heidfeld-out-at-lotus-renault-gp/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean

The sidelining of Robert Kubica left big shoes to fill at the Lotus Renault GP team. After the Polish driver crashed out in a pre-season rally, the team was left scrambling to find a replacement. But rather than dip into its own considerable reserve of back-up drivers, the higher-ups opted to bring in Nick Heidfeld to fill Kubica's seat.

The eleven-season F1 veteran performed admirably in a pinch for Renault, most notably scoring a podium finish in Malaysia. But that didn't keep the team from replacing him for last week's Belgian Grand Prix, promoting their test driver and former HRT pilot Bruno Senna to his place.

The move lead to much speculation over what would unfold for the rest of the season, but Renault has now put that to rest by announcing that Senna will be driving the remaining seven rounds left in the season and that Heidfeld - who had (quite understandably) expressed some measure of dissatisfaction with having been shown the door - is departing the team.

It's a big leg-up for Senna and a ballsy move for Renault, but undoubtedly disappointing for Heidfeld. For his part, the German driver (who's spent the bulk of his career at Sauber) pledges to be back next season. Meanwhile Senna's previous role as test driver will be taken up once again by Romain Grosjean, the Franco-Swiss driver who took Nelsinho Piquet's place at the team in the wake of the Crashgate scandal in 2009 and who just claimed the title in the GP2 series.

Senna in, Grosjean up, Heidfeld out at Lotus Renault GP originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bruno sennaf1formula 1formula onelotus renault gpnick heidfeldrenaultromain grosjeansennaWed, 07 Sep 2011 07:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20035180/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/07/senna-in-grosjean-up-heidfeld-out-at-lotus-renault-gp/20035180/article-detail.xml 20035180 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/senna-grosjean_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/senna-grosjean.jpg <![CDATA[Bruno Senna to take Heidfeld's place at Renault for Spa]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/25/bruno-senna-to-take-heidfelds-place-at-renault-for-spa/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/25/bruno-senna-to-take-heidfelds-place-at-renault-for-spa/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/25/bruno-senna-to-take-heidfelds-place-at-renault-for-spa/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Bruno Senna

Most drivers who fail in F1 fail downwards - that is, they drop down to another form of motorsport and change focus. But if your name is Senna, you fail up.

Having tested for Honda before it closed up shop and quit F1, Bruno Senna took the only chance he had to get onto the grid when he debuted with the Hispania Racing Team. That didn't work out so well - mostly, truth be told, because the team wasn't up to speed - but after retiring from as many races as he finished and failing to score a single championship point, he was released by HRT.

The nephew of the late, great Ayrton Senna was then picked up as a test driver for the Renault team, which has now announced that it will be giving Bruno a chance to race again this weekend. He'll be taking the place of Nick Heidfeld, who himself was brought in to fill in for an injured Robert Kubica.

That Heidfeld was actually doing better than his teammate Vitaly Petrov in the standings so far this season didn't seem to deter the Renault strategists in their desire to shake up its driver lineup over the summer break. Whether Senna is kept on or replaced in turn will likely depend on his performance, so we'll be watching this weekend and waiting until the team makes a more detailed announcement.

Bruno Senna to take Heidfeld's place at Renault for Spa originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 belgian grand prixbelgian grand prixbrunobruno sennalotus renault gprenaultsennaspaThu, 25 Aug 2011 08:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20026059/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/25/bruno-senna-to-take-heidfelds-place-at-renault-for-spa/20026059/article-detail.xml 20026059 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/q0c0211_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/q0c0211.jpg <![CDATA[Robert Kubica not expected to return to F1 before season's end]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/24/robert-kubica-not-expected-to-return-to-f1-before-seasons-end/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/24/robert-kubica-not-expected-to-return-to-f1-before-seasons-end/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/24/robert-kubica-not-expected-to-return-to-f1-before-seasons-end/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Robert Kubica

If you've been counting down the days until Robert Kubica returns to the Formula One grid, you may want to stop counting for now. The latest reports suggest that the Polish driver is not likely to return before the end of the season, if at all.

Kubica, for those who may not recall, suffered a terrible accident during the off-season while contesting a rally in Italy some four months ago. His car was impaled by a dislodged guardrail and Kubica sustained extensive injuries to his right-side limbs. Now released from hospital and recovering at home, Kubica's boss - Lotus Renault GP chief Gerard Lopez - reportedly says it is not likely the star driver will be back by season's end.

Renault may give Kubica the opportunity to test drive during a Friday test session on a grand prix weekend at some point, but that should not, Lopez warns, indicate that he'd be ready to relieve Nick Heidfeld and take on a full race. Whether Kubica ever gets back into racing form remains to be seen - his doctors are reserving judgment until the summer - but we wish him the best for a suitably speedy recovery.

Robert Kubica not expected to return to F1 before season's end originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 May 2011 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1formula onegerard lopezkubicalotus renault gprenaultrobert kubicaTue, 24 May 2011 18:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19948830/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/24/robert-kubica-not-expected-to-return-to-f1-before-seasons-end/19948830/article-detail.xml 19948830 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/kubica04_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/kubica04.jpg <![CDATA[Geneva 2011: Lotus flashes the black and gold with new racing cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/03/lotus-race-cars-new-livery-geneva-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/03/lotus-race-cars-new-livery-geneva-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/03/lotus-race-cars-new-livery-geneva-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Lotus Race Cars at 2011 Geneva Motor Show
2011 Lotus Renault GP R31 and Evora GT4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Picking a color scheme for a race car is usually a straightforward matter, but when Lotus opted to revive the black-and-gold combination of the classic John Player Special livery for its new Formula One car, things got a bit complicated. Not because it was once associated with a tobacco brand, but because of the still-unsettled dispute with the other Lotus team.

The Malaysian outfit at the back of the field originally planned on adopting the black and gold for this season, but opted to stick with its existing green and yellow livery shortly after Lotus Cars assumed part ownership of the newly rechristened Lotus Renault GP team.

The naming rights may still be in dispute, but the livery issue is settled. And Lotus isn't just applying it to the grand prix racer you see here. (Though Renault, incidentally, displayed the team's car from last year in the new livery on its stand, and Pirelli a selection of last year's cars as well, Lotus appears to have brought the new 2011 challenger...or at least a mockup.) The British outfit also brought along an Evora GT4 decked out in the same scheme. And it looks positively dynamite on both cars. But don't take our word for it: check it out for yourself in the high-resolution image gallery below and see for yourself.


Gallery: 2011 Lotus Race Cars: Geneva 2011


Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

Geneva 2011: Lotus flashes the black and gold with new racing cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>evoraevora gt4f1formula 1formula onegenevageneva 2011geneva motor showjohn player specialjpsliverylotuslotus evoralotus evora gt4lotus renault gpThu, 03 Mar 2011 15:19:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19864420/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/03/lotus-race-cars-new-livery-geneva-2011/19864420/article-detail.xml 19864420 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/lotus-2011-livery-geneva_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/lotus-2011-livery-geneva.jpg <![CDATA[Officially Official: Heidfeld to fill Kubica's seat at Lotus Renault GP]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/16/officially-official-heidfeld-to-fill-kubicas-seat-at-lotus-ren/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/16/officially-official-heidfeld-to-fill-kubicas-seat-at-lotus-ren/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/16/officially-official-heidfeld-to-fill-kubicas-seat-at-lotus-ren/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nick Heidfeld

Filling the proverbial shoes of Robert Kubica is no easy task. The grand prix winner - one of only 102 in history - is the first Polish driver to make it in Formula One, and he is rated as one of the best in the business. Fill his space, though, is exactly what Renault has had to do after Kubica's unfortunate crash in an Italian rally left him severely - if not critically - injured. But if anyone's up to the task, it's Nick Heidfeld.

The two were former teammates for several years at Sauber, and for his part, Heidfeld has finished more races than any other driver on or off the grid. He's also become the de facto go-to guy for outfits who need an experienced driver to step in post-haste, having been selected by Pirelli to test their new F1 tires and then brought back to Sauber when Pedro de la Rosa wasn't working out last season.

Having tested Heidfeld at its recent Jerez session, the Lotus Renault GP team has announced that they've selected the German driver to take Kubica's place until he's able to return to racing. Heidfeld's selection wins out over Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean, both of which also have race experience (albeit considerably less) and are contracted members of the team's test-driver roster.

After stints at Prost, Sauber, Jordan and Williams - to say nothing of McLaren and Mercedes GP where he's served as a test driver - Renault will make the fifth team for which Heidfeld will now have driven over the course of the eleven consecutive years he's now been on the grid since his debut at the 2000 Australian Grand Prix. His best result to date was the fifth place finish he scored at Sauber in the 2007 Championship and his eight second-place grand prix finishes. Follow the jump for the official announcement.

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Officially Official: Heidfeld to fill Kubica's seat at Lotus Renault GP

Officially Official: Heidfeld to fill Kubica's seat at Lotus Renault GP originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 formula one world championshipf1formula 1formula oneheidfeldkubicalotus renault gpnick heidfeldrenault f1robert kubicaWed, 16 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19846675/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/02/16/officially-official-heidfeld-to-fill-kubicas-seat-at-lotus-ren/19846675/article-detail.xml 19846675 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/heidfelt-renault_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/heidfelt-renault.jpg <![CDATA[F1 teams wish Robert Kubica a speedy recovery at Jerez test]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/11/f1-teams-wish-robert-kubica-a-speedy-recovery-at-jerez-test/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/11/f1-teams-wish-robert-kubica-a-speedy-recovery-at-jerez-test/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/11/f1-teams-wish-robert-kubica-a-speedy-recovery-at-jerez-test/#commentsFiled under: ,

Speedy Recovery, Robert
Speedy Recovery, Robert - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Formula One circus is in Jerez this weekend, testing the latest batch of racecars before the season kicks off next month in Bahrain. But something's missing. Someone actually, and that someone is Robert Kubica.

The Polish driver on the Lotus Renault GP team, as you may have heard, is recovering in the hospital from injuries substained in a rallying accident in Italy that had his car impaled by a roadside guardrail. At the Jerez test his team will be giving a number of drivers - including their own tester Bruno Senna and F1 veteran Nick Heidfeld - a shot at temporarily filling Kubica's seat, but they're not the only ones feeling his absence.

The majority of the teams on the grid have placed special messages of hope for Kubica's recovery somewhere on their cars. Some have placed them on the front wings, some on the sidepods or front keel, while others have placed them on the side of the rear wing. But the message is the same: "Szybkiego powrotu do zdrowia Robert", in his native Polish - speedy recovery, Robert. We've assembled a few close-ups of the messages on the Jerez test cars and placed them for your viewing pleasure in the gallery below, so click on to check 'em out. Thanks for the tip, Arek!


Gallery: Speedy Recovery, Robert - Jerez F1 test


[Source: F1Fanatic]

F1 teams wish Robert Kubica a speedy recovery at Jerez test originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crashf1formula 1formula onejerezkubicalotus renault gprenaultrenault f1robert kubicaspeedy recovery robertSzybkiego powrotu do zdrowia RobertFri, 11 Feb 2011 13:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19839722/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/02/11/f1-teams-wish-robert-kubica-a-speedy-recovery-at-jerez-test/19839722/article-detail.xml 19839722 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/web630-speedyrecoveryrobert_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/web630-speedyrecoveryrobert.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus Renault GP to evaluate Nick Heidfeld in Jerez for Kubica's seat]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/10/lotus-renault-gp-to-evaluate-nick-heidfeld-in-jerez-for-kubicas/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/10/lotus-renault-gp-to-evaluate-nick-heidfeld-in-jerez-for-kubicas/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/10/lotus-renault-gp-to-evaluate-nick-heidfeld-in-jerez-for-kubicas/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld launch the BMW Sauber F1.09
Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld launch the BMW Sauber F1.09

A fast-paced world like Formula One can't afford to sit still, even when one of their own is down. So while Robert Kubica recovers in hospital, his Lotus Renault GP team is facing the tough decision of what to do in the meantime. Kubica's not expected to recover until halfway through the season at best, so they'll need someone to fill in until then.

Previous reports linked Tonio Liuzzi and Nico Hulkenberg - both of who lost their race seats this season - as potential candidates to take Kubica's place, but the team itself has just confirmed that Nick Heidfeld is to drive the new R31 at the upcoming Jerez test in Spain.

Heidfeld is a German driver who's been in F1 since 1998, driving for such teams as McLaren, Prost, Jordan and Williams. He drove alongside Kubica for four seasons at BMW Sauber from 2006 through 2009. Last season he was contracted to Mercedes GP as a test driver, but was released when Sauber needed a replacement for Pedro de la Rosa. Could he fill the same role for Renault, or will the team promote one of its test drivers to the hot seat instead? Follow the jump for the official statement.

[Source: Lotus Renault GP]

Continue reading Lotus Renault GP to evaluate Nick Heidfeld in Jerez for Kubica's seat

Lotus Renault GP to evaluate Nick Heidfeld in Jerez for Kubica's seat originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1formula oneheidfeldjerezjerez testkubicalotus renault gpnick heidfeldrenaultrenault f1robert kubicaThu, 10 Feb 2011 08:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19837065/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/02/10/lotus-renault-gp-to-evaluate-nick-heidfeld-in-jerez-for-kubicas/19837065/article-detail.xml 19837065 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/kubica-heidfeld_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/kubica-heidfeld.jpg <![CDATA[Followup: Kubica recovering as Renault weighs potential replacements]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/08/followup-kubica-recovering-as-renault-weighs-potential-replacem/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/08/followup-kubica-recovering-as-renault-weighs-potential-replacem/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/08/followup-kubica-recovering-as-renault-weighs-potential-replacem/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Robert Kubica arrives at Santa Corona hospital in Pietra Ligure, Italy
Robert Kubica arrives at Santa Corona hospital in Pietra Ligure, Italy

The Lotus Renault GP team has issued another update on the progress of its star pilot Robert Kubica. The Polish driver, for those who haven't been following, crashed during the Ronde di Andorra in Italy on Sunday - just weeks before the start of the F1 season - and was airlifted to a local hospital where doctors treated him for multiple fractures and severed tendons in his right limbs.

With the bulk of the procedures now behind him, Kubica is conscious (some reports state that he was revived from a medically-induced coma), and conversing with his doctors as well as visiting relatives and colleagues. Later this week, Kubica will have to undergo additional surgery (for his right shoulder and foot), to be followed by another procedure a few days later. He's expected to stay at the Santa Corona Hospital where he has been since the crash for another two or three weeks, after which he'll likely be transfered to another location to rehabilitate, likely for between five months and a full year.

With his recovery underway but a long road ahead, Renault will need to find someone to temporarily take his place for the impending season. Although the team has both Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean - both recent F1 drivers - on contract, the team is reportedly examining all of its options. Among them are Force India drivers Tonio Liuzzi and Nico Hulkeberg, both of which raced last season and have proven themselves competitive drivers. Liuzzi lost his seat this year at Force India, while Hulkenberg took a test-driver role with the team when he lost his seat at Williams.

[Source: Lotus Renault GP, ESPN | Image: Silvio Fasano/AP]

Continue reading Followup: Kubica recovering as Renault weighs potential replacements

Followup: Kubica recovering as Renault weighs potential replacements originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1formula onekubicakubica crashlotus renault gpnico hulkenbergrenaultRenault F1robert kubicaronde di andora rallyvitantonio liuzziTue, 08 Feb 2011 17:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19834364/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/02/08/followup-kubica-recovering-as-renault-weighs-potential-replacem/19834364/article-detail.xml 19834364 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/italyf1renaultkubicainjured.ab0c9072972245bcb476a002e309c2d2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/italyf1renaultkubicainjured.ab0c9072972245bcb476a002e309c2d2.jpg <![CDATA[Followup: Injuries could force Kubica out of F1 season - if not entire career [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/07/followup-injuries-could-force-kubica-out-of-f1-season-if-not/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/07/followup-injuries-could-force-kubica-out-of-f1-season-if-not/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/07/followup-injuries-could-force-kubica-out-of-f1-season-if-not/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Robert Kubica's Skoda Fabia S2000Kubica's crashed Skoda - Click above to watch video from surgeons' press conference after the jump

With his recovery still in the critical phase after his accident, it is looking ever more likely that Robert Kubica will be out for the season, and possibly for the rest of his career.

The Renault Formula One driver suffered a devastating crash yesterday at the Ronde di Andora rally in Italy, where he crashed his Super2000 Skoda Fabia into the side of a building at a reportedly very high speed. He was airlifted to a local hospital where teams of surgeons operated on injuries sustained to his right limbs, including severe tendon damage and multiple bone fractures in his right forearm.

Although Kubica does not appear to have suffered any serious neurological damage from the crash, the injuries sustained could spell the end of his career, as questions remain as to how fully he can recover. What looks to be all but certain, however, is that he will in all likelihood be watching the impending F1 season - set to start in about a month - from pit wall.

Fortunately for Renault - and unlike the situation faced by Ferrari after Felipe Massa's crash - the team has a deep roster of reserve drivers at the ready to partner with Vitaly Petrov, including Bruno Senna (who drove for HRT last season), Romain Grosjean (who drove for Renault two years ago), aspiring Asian drivers Fairuz Fauzy and Ho-Ping Tung, and LMS champion Jan Charouz.

Of course, at this point, everyone is wishing Kubica a fittingly speedy recovery, and we'll keep you updated on his progress. In the meantime, we invite you to follow the jump for the latest statements from the team, and for video footage of the surgeons' press conference outside the hospital.

[Source: Lotus Renault GP | Image: Roberto Ruscello/AP]

Continue reading Followup: Injuries could force Kubica out of F1 season - if not entire career [w/video]

Followup: Injuries could force Kubica out of F1 season - if not entire career [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1kubicakubica crashlotuslotus renault gprenaultrenault f1robert kubicaronde di andoraskodaskoda fabia s2000Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19831338/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/02/07/followup-injuries-could-force-kubica-out-of-f1-season-if-not/19831338/article-detail.xml 19831338 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/italyf1renaultkubicainjured.3ea57e5873c741c68c4332a31fac0243_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/italyf1renaultkubicainjured.3ea57e5873c741c68c4332a31fac0243.jpg <![CDATA[Robert Kubica medevac'd from crash at Ronde di Andora Rally [Updated]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/06/breaking-robert-kubica-medevacd-from-crash-at-ronde-di-andora/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/06/breaking-robert-kubica-medevacd-from-crash-at-ronde-di-andora/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/06/breaking-robert-kubica-medevacd-from-crash-at-ronde-di-andora/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Robert Kubica

Formula One teams take a huge risk when they let one of their star drivers contest other forms of motorsport during the offseason. Never mind questions of focus: crashes happen all the time in every motorsport discipline, and one false step can have disastrous consequences for both driver and team.

Renault, however, has long permitted Robert Kubica to have his run at rallying on the side. Not unlike Kimi Raikkonen, Kubica has been proving himself a competent rally driver, but his skills didn't prevent him from suffering a high-speed crash today at the Ronde di Andora rally. This was the first time Kubica - fresh from topping the time sheets in the third F1 test session at Valencia - was driving a top-spec Super 2000 rally car, in this case a Skoda Fabia, which he crashed during the opening stage.

The Polish driver was airlifted to a local hospital, and though sources confirm that he remained conscious throughout, reports of multiple broken bones are circulating. This close to the opening of the 2011 F1 campaign, observers can't help but wonder what will happen if Kubica isn't well enough to start the season. Fortunately for the team, they've lined up a full roster of reserve drivers, including Bruno Senna, who is tipped as the top among them.

Of course we wish Kubica - who bounced back well from his spectacular crash at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix - a full and (characteristically) speedy recovery, and hope to see him back at the wheel in full health in short order. Follow the jump for the brief statement from Renault, and watch this space for more.

UPDATE: Lotus Renault GP reports that Kubica is undergoing surgery for multiple fractures to his right hand, arm and leg. Updated statement posted after the jump.

[Sources: Renault, Autosport]

Continue reading Robert Kubica medevac'd from crash at Ronde di Andora Rally [Updated]

Robert Kubica medevac'd from crash at Ronde di Andora Rally [Updated] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 07:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcrashkubicalotus renault gprallyrenaultrobert kubicaRonde di AndoraRonde di Andora rallyskodaSun, 06 Feb 2011 07:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19830417/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/02/06/breaking-robert-kubica-medevacd-from-crash-at-ronde-di-andora/19830417/article-detail.xml 19830417 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/q0c2085_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/q0c2085.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus Renault GP launches its first car in the black (and gold)]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/01/lotus-renault-gp-launches-its-first-car-in-the-black-and-gold/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/01/lotus-renault-gp-launches-its-first-car-in-the-black-and-gold/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/01/lotus-renault-gp-launches-its-first-car-in-the-black-and-gold/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Lotus Renault R31
2011 Lotus Renault GP R31 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Lotus Renault GP team has had a lot of names and owners over the years, and even more liveries. Not to be confused with Team Lotus (also powered by Renault engines this year) that unveiled its new green and yellow car we saw yesterday, and with which the the company is still embroiled in a naming rights dispute, Lotus Renault GP is the most recent incarnation of the Toleman team that operated in the early 80s, which then became Benetton before flying the Renault team flag under which it raced until the end of last season.

Following the Spygate scandal that shook up the team's leadership and saw the withdrawal of its sponsors, the participation of Group Lotus as title sponsor - together with Genii Capital's investment - comes just in the nick of time for the troubled (erstwhile championship-winning) outfit.

The new car bears the name R31, showing continuity with the team it succeeds, and the black and gold livery that the other Lotus outfit was initially planning to run and that hearkens back to the iconic JPS livery which the original Lotus team ran under Renault power back in the 80s.

An evolution of the Renault R30 that raced last year, the R31 was unveiled in the pit lane at Valencia where the first pre-season test session is now underway. Also like last year - and after much speculation over the direction they'd take - the R31 will be driven by the Eastern European pairing of Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov.

The team has also lined up an extensive test-driving crew including Bruno Senna (sacked from the race seat at HRT), Romain Grosjean (who drove for Renault in 2009 after securing the GP2 Asia Series title), Fairuz Fauzy (the Malaysian driver who bolted the other Lotus-Renault team), aspiring Sino-Dutch driver Ho-Ping Tung and Le Mans Series champion Jan Charouz. Follow the jump for the full press release and scope out the images in the gallery below for more.


Gallery: 2011 Lotus Renault R31


[Source: Lotus Renault GP]

Continue reading Lotus Renault GP launches its first car in the black (and gold)

Lotus Renault GP launches its first car in the black (and gold) originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 formula one world championship2011 Lotus Renault R31f1formula 1formula onelotuslotus renault gpLotus Renault R31renaultrenault f1Renault R31Tue, 01 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19821730/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/02/01/lotus-renault-gp-launches-its-first-car-in-the-black-and-gold/19821730/article-detail.xml 19821730 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/web630-af5d0259_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/web630-af5d0259.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus F1 naming dispute heading to court early with new livery, staff]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/20/lotus-f1-naming-dispute-heading-to-court-early-with-new-livery/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/20/lotus-f1-naming-dispute-heading-to-court-early-with-new-livery/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/20/lotus-f1-naming-dispute-heading-to-court-early-with-new-livery/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lotus Renault GP 2011 livery
Lotus Renault GP 2011 livery - Click above for high-res image gallery

Group Lotus and Team Lotus weren't expected to get their day in court until the summer, but the two outfits are reportedly heading to trial next week to seek a resolution of the naming rights dispute that has emerged between them. The earlier court proceedings in London will reportedly seek a summary judgment, a sort of preemptive ruling that could obviate the need for a drawn-out legal battle between the two parties.

For those unfamiliar, Group Lotus parent company Proton had licensed the name Lotus to an independent F1 team that joined the field last year. The two entities then had a difference of opinion on continuing the contract for a second season, after which Group Lotus (maker of the cars we know and love) bought out the Renault F1 team to form Lotus Renault GP. The independent Malaysian team, meanwhile, is also contracted to run Renault engines next season, leaving the two teams with nearly identical names in every respect.

The two outfits were also set to run similar black-and-gold liveries this season, but the independent Team Lotus opted to stick with the existing green-and-yellow livery as Lotus Renault GP unveiled the retro black-and-gold scheme at the Autosport International show in Birmigham (images from which we've put into the gallery below for your viewing pleasure). The team could, however, run afoul of anti-tobacco legislation (in Canada of all places, where the law's implementation was originally delayed in order to keep their grand prix) since the livery is a throwback to when tobacco brand JPS sponsored the outfit in its heyday.

In a related development, the Lotus Renault GP team is reportedly preparing to hire a large number of Malaysian employees as well, including Fairuz Fauzy. The Malaysian driver - winner of races in A1GP, GP2 and Formula Renault 3.5 - served as a test driver last season for Lotus Racing (aka Team Lotus) but recently quit the team with no explanation, and will now be acting as Lotus Renault GP's official test and reserve driver alongside Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov.

Finally, Lotus has also announced the recruitment of former F1 driver Jean Alesi, who will serve as an ambassador for the Exos/Type 125 program and the latest in a long line of former Ferrari employees who have followed CEO Dany Behar (a former Ferrari vice-president himself) to Lotus. Got all that? Now check out the fresh batch of images in the gallery below.


Gallery: Lotus Renault GP 2011 livery


[Sources: Autosport, Lotus]

Lotus F1 naming dispute heading to court early with new livery, staff originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alesifairuz fauzygroup lotusjean alesilotuslotus racinglotus renault gpprotonrenaultteam lotusThu, 20 Jan 2011 08:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19805069/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/20/lotus-f1-naming-dispute-heading-to-court-early-with-new-livery/19805069/article-detail.xml 19805069 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/web630-20101216140926.210.132_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/web630-20101216140926.210.132.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus Renault GP, Virgin confirm drivers for 2011]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/26/lotus-renault-gp-virgin-confirm-drivers-for-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/26/lotus-renault-gp-virgin-confirm-drivers-for-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/26/lotus-renault-gp-virgin-confirm-drivers-for-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lotus Renault GP Drivers
Jerome d'Ambrosio (above left) and Vitaly Petrov (above right) the latest drivers to be confirmed for 2011

As we wind down the remaining days of the calendar year, the final few seats are closing for the 2011 Formula One World Championship after both Renault and Virgin have officially confirmed their rosters for next season.

After much speculation and a change of ownership, the Lotus Renault GP team has confirmed that rookie Russian driver Vitaly Petrov will stay with the team to drive alongside fellow incumbent Robert Kubica for another two years. The announcement comes several weeks after widely-publicized negotiations with Kimi Raikkonen broke down.

The Virgin team, which has likewise rebranded as Marussia Virgin Racing, has also confirmed its drivers for next season, with Timo Glock staying on and newcomer Jerome d'Ambrosio taking the second seat. The Belgian driver won the International Formula Master in 2007 and placed second in the GP2 Asia Series in 2008/09. After a year as a Renault reserve driver, d'Ambrosio will replace Lucas di Grassi.

Shortly after the announcement, di Grassi made headlines by winning Felipe Massa's charity karting event in Brazil ahead of Massa, Williams veteran Rubens Barrichello and Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari. Did Virgin act too hastily? Only time will tell.

There are just six seats still unconfirmed at Force India, Toro Rosso and HRT, and the 2011 F1 season is scheduled to kick off on March 13 in Bahrain. Follow the jump for the official announcements from both teams.

[Sources: Renault, Virgin]

Continue reading Lotus Renault GP, Virgin confirm drivers for 2011

Lotus Renault GP, Virgin confirm drivers for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 fia formula 1 world championship2011 formula one world championshipdambrosiof1formula 1formula onejerome dambrosiolotuslotus renault gpmarussia virgin racingpetrovrenaultvirginvitaly petrovSun, 26 Dec 2010 15:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19773742/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/26/lotus-renault-gp-virgin-confirm-drivers-for-2011/19773742/article-detail.xml 19773742 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/petrov-dambrosio_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/petrov-dambrosio.jpg <![CDATA[Did Jacques Villeneuve turn down a ride with Lotus for 2011?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/did-jacques-villeneuve-turn-down-a-ride-with-lotus-for-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/did-jacques-villeneuve-turn-down-a-ride-with-lotus-for-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/did-jacques-villeneuve-turn-down-a-ride-with-lotus-for-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Former F1 and Indy champion Jacques Villeneuve is playing down reports that he was offered a ride with the new Lotus Renault GP team for next season. The French Canadian driver recently threw in the towel on any potential return to grand prix racing after repeated attempts to get back on the grid, determined to break into NASCAR instead and getting his fix racing Skodas on ice in the interim.

According to reports, Lotus offered him a drive on its IndyCar team for this past season that would have led to an F1 seat with the automaker's newly acquired squad for 2011. The reports were spurred by Villeneuve's reported visit to Lotus to meet with Gino Rosato, one of the many former Ferrari employees who've since defected to Lotus - a visit which Villeneuve said was purely social and not professional. Rosato, like Villeneuve, hails from the Canadian province of Quebec.

Jacques confirms that an offer for an IndyCar drive was made (if he could bring sponsors' cash along with him), but not for an F1 drive, pointing out that Lotus' decision to get into F1 was only made more recently. Besides, insists Villeneuve, he had no interest in going back into IndyCar racing since he already mastered that series in his earlier days. Well, he already won the F1 championship too, but that didn't seem to stop him from taking another stab at it. And then another. And then a few more.

[Source: ESPN | Image: Robert Cianflone/Getty]

Did Jacques Villeneuve turn down a ride with Lotus for 2011? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1formula onejacques villeneuvelotuslotus f1lotus renault gpvilleneuveWed, 15 Dec 2010 07:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19759761/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/15/did-jacques-villeneuve-turn-down-a-ride-with-lotus-for-2011/19759761/article-detail.xml 19759761 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/gyi0062168794_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/gyi0062168794.jpg <![CDATA[Officially Official: Lotus Renault GP rolls up its sleeves]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/08/officially-official-lotus-renault-gp-rolls-up-its-sleeves/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/08/officially-official-lotus-renault-gp-rolls-up-its-sleeves/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/08/officially-official-lotus-renault-gp-rolls-up-its-sleeves/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lotus Renault GP livery - Click above for high-res image

In the highly competitive environment that is Formula One racing, things can get a bit messy. Rivalries. Crashes. Underhanded maneuvers. Team orders. Scandals. But identity crises? This is a new one. But that's just what we're looking at with Lotus. Because you see as we head into the 2011 championship, two teams are on the docket that both claim the same name and plan to fly the same colors.

We're talking about Lotus-Renault, a legendary pairing but one with a serious split-personality disorder. For the past several months Group Lotus and its Malaysian parent company Proton have been embroiled in a naming rights dispute with Tony Fernandes, owner of what's until now been called the Lotus Racing team. After licensing the name from Proton (and having nothing to do with the engineering firm and automaker we know as Lotus), Fernandes decided he didn't need Proton's permission anymore and renamed his outfit Team Lotus, commensurately switching from Cosworth to Renault engines and pledging to bring back the iconic Lotus black and gold livery.

After a brief exchange in the press, negotiations between the two Lotus parties went behind closed doors. Then reports surfaced that Group Lotus (the automaker) was considering buying Renault out of its stake in its own F1 team, reports that have now been confirmed by official announcement. Renault (the French automaker) has sold its stake in its F1 team to its investment partner Genii Capital, which has in turn sold part to Group Lotus. Retaining Renault engines, the team is therefor being rebranded Lotus Renault GP, and has released the image above showing what their car could look like under the new livery next season.

Thing is, Fernandes' Team Lotus is contracted to use those same engines, and was planning on resurrecting that same iconic livery. Neither seems eager to relent, but there can only be one Lotus-Renault team, so something's got to give before the season kicks off in Bahrain on March 13, so stay tuned and check out the full press release after the jump.

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Officially Official: Lotus Renault GP rolls up its sleeves

Officially Official: Lotus Renault GP rolls up its sleeves originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1formula onegenii capitallotus renaultlotus renault gplotus-renaultrenaultrenault f1renault f1 teamWed, 08 Dec 2010 15:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19751312/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/08/officially-official-lotus-renault-gp-rolls-up-its-sleeves/19751312/article-detail.xml 19751312 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/web630-lotus-renaultgp_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/web630-lotus-renaultgp.jpg -1 2