Formula One news - Lotus Racing celebrates its first anniversary at Monza
Lotus Racing, a team that had borrowed its name from one of the most successful and popular racing teams of Formula One, Team Lotus, has had a long tough debut season with Formula One. The team had been claiming right from the start of the year that it does not have any internal connections with the old Team Lotus, yet it is deeply connected with the legendry team by means of inspiration and aspirations. After a long struggling season, the team now hopes to see some better times ahead for them.
As the Formula One caravan is now ready to head for its next and one of the most crucial rounds of the season, Formula One official website had a few words with the drivers as well as team principals probing for their expectations from upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
The Finnish driver Heikki Kovalainen who had a good race last year on the track, as he started his race from 4th place on the grid and had it ended at 6th position, now seems much happy and convinced as he prepares himself to race at the historic track once again.
He expressed his feelings saying that he sees Monza, as one biggest highlights of the year as racing there is always a great experience.
He continued telling, “It’s a very different type of circuit and it has a great atmosphere. Obviously Ferrari have huge support out in the stands but so do the other teams, as the fans just love F1.”
While talking about the track, he was happy to exclaim that none of the drivers have ever failed to love this track because of its high speed straights, coupled with the low downforce configuration which makes it a unique and interesting race arena.
The other team driver Jarno Trulli, who was only able to finish at 14th place last year, still feels enthusiastic and thrilled for the forthcoming race because finally it is the time of the year when the Italian driver goes to race at his home town.
He was excited to explain, “Monza is a very special Grand Prix. We Italian drivers have fantastic support out there, and the fans are really fired up for the race. It’s such a warm atmosphere; you can’t help but enjoy it.”
Moreover, he expressed his views about the track telling that it is a challenging yet not very technical one, which is why one enjoys racing here. He added that the most crucial thing one requires for this track is excellent brakes due to the high speeds that one may have here, owing to its long straights.
The Lotus team principal, Tony Fernandes talked to the Formula One’s official website telling that Lotus Racing is really looking forward for the race, as it falls in the month when Lotus team is to celebrate the completion of its first year as a team on September 12th 2009; the team finally became a part of the Formula One squad.
He concluded saying that despite the hard times that the first year has brought for the team, he is contented to see their cars racing this hard on the track only after 12 months since the team started working together.
Mike Gascoyne the Technical Officer of Lotus Racing, proclaimed that the journey of the year had been an amazing experience of learning and improving.
As Monza marks the last of the European races for the season, Formula One caravan would be moving forward to Asia after this race, which is why the Malaysian team is really excited.
Fernandes happily ended his interview saying, “it’s going to keep getting more exciting with every step we take.”
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