Lotus Racing Ready For Bahrain Season Opener

The 2010 Formula One season officially starts this weekend at the Sakhir Circuit in Bahrain—exactly six months since the formation of Lotus Racing. Lining up on the grid in Bahrain will be Lotus Racing's Cosworth T127, to be driven by Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli, along with challengers from two other new teams Virgin Racing and Hispania F1.

“It's going to be six months since we first entered Formula One”, said Lotus Racing chief executive officer Riad Asmat, who leaves today for Bahrain to join the 60-personnel entourage already there. “We are ready for the first race, that's for sure, as the equipment and crew are already there”.

Riad however acknowledges that any expectation about Lotus Racing's maiden race has to be realistic. “We have to be realistic about what we are capable of”, he said. “We are not as fast as the frontrunners but I believe the team will do a professional job and will look to finish the race”.

We have not always been supportive of Tony Fernandes' vision for a Malaysian F1 team, due to the pitfalls Lotus Racing will undoubtedly face at this level. That said, days before the season opener, we, as Malaysians, are still hoping for a good showing on the track; but like Riad says, just keep your expectations in check.

AboutSeow Yaohan

Seow Yao Han strives to bring you the latest and the most comprehensive information on cars available in Malaysia. But it's never easy for him to talk and write cars in this part of the world because what you lust after is often not what you drive home. When the euphoria of test-driving that branded, super-expensive sports car dies down, he just goes home in his less-than-glamorous ride.