The modern Lotus may not be the same as the outfit which raced to championships in the sixties and seventies, but they have kept a link with the original Lotus team.
Team founder Colin Chapman used to greet Lotus’s race wins – of which they had 79 – by throwing his cap in the air. Now team principal Tony Fernandes has been given one of Chapman’s caps to use if the new Lotus team wins a race.
It’s kept in a glass case bearing the inscription ‘In case of victory, break glass’.
The team were celebrating today after Heikki Kovalainen took them into Q2 for the first time and claimed the highest place on the starting grid for a new team in 2010 with 15th.
He achieved this thanks to Ferrari and McLaren failing to cars their cars out early enough in the first part of qualifying. It’s ironic that it should come at the expense of Ferrari, who criticised the new teams in the run-up to the season.
A win for the new Lotus team may be some way off but with more heavy rain forecast for tomorrow’s race, with a bit of luck perhaps a maiden top ten finish and a point could be on the cars?
Image (C) Lotus F1
bob
3rd April 2010, 15:17
No, No, No. Nonsense. Heikki hasnt car which can get points!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
3rd April 2010, 15:24
I know, which is why I said they need heavy rain and some luck.
bob
3rd April 2010, 15:32
A very great luck :D
Arun Srini
4th April 2010, 6:13
Even with rain, I think these guys need a box of an engine like the Toyota corollas to make them run through the entire race. Lol, Virgin are making a mockery of F1 with their small fuel tanks..
Arun Srini
4th April 2010, 6:15
absolute nonsense of me to comment on Lotus thinking they were Virgin, very sorry… Jack Daniels has enslaved my brain
Sush Meerkat
3rd April 2010, 15:32
I’m really liking these new teams.
bob
3rd April 2010, 15:42
In one article u said to Keith that he has 2 grammar mistakes, but now u say Im liking :D
wakenabeb
3rd April 2010, 16:08
There’s nothing wrong with the grammar there
bob
3rd April 2010, 16:27
You can’t use I’m liking, you can use only I like or I’d like
Adrian
3rd April 2010, 17:08
Actually it’s perfectly correct to use I’m liking. Like is a verb just like others such as fall or run…
Unless you’re suggesting that he also couldn’t say I’m running or I’m falling…
wakenabeb
3rd April 2010, 17:10
I don’t think you are the best person to be commenting on grammar considering your previous two posts
wakenabeb
3rd April 2010, 17:11
talking about bob, not adrian
Xighor
3rd April 2010, 18:33
“I’m liking” is used correctly to emphasise that it is the current state of mind/feelings of the given person, I suppose.
Like McDonald’s “I’m lovin it”…
sato113
3rd April 2010, 16:24
haha, fail! we need HRT to come up to speed now.
polishboy808
3rd April 2010, 21:44
I’m sorry, but arguing on F1F about grammar is just…… its just sad…..
kowalsky
3rd April 2010, 22:08
kids playing, that have nothing better to do.
Cube
3rd April 2010, 15:33
I found that moment where they were talking about Lotus today very emotional myself. The pride in what they have achieved is huge.
They’ve actually managed to bring two countries together. Both Britiain & Malaysia see the team as their own.
I hope their upgrade in Barcelona gives them some juice. Kovalainen just needs to edge forward 5 positions to get points. Something he has managed to do in both races so far… it’s possible tomorrow is the day Lotus get their first point….. or half a point.
sato113
3rd April 2010, 16:24
something which he never managed at mclaren dont forget!
JBolton
3rd April 2010, 16:28
The battle between Lotus and Virgin has been very entertaining so far, a good story from the back of the grid. Hopefully Virgin will have some reliability tomorrow and we can enjoy watching Timo and Heikki shoot for a top ten finish. If it is wet then it will be a great opportunity for them to grab a point or two.
Macca
3rd April 2010, 16:30
I’m suprised at how popular Hikki Kovalainen is. When I was at the Australian GP last week, he got as big of a cheer as Mark Webber did when they were doing the driver paraide.
fordsrule
4th April 2010, 2:24
Either that or Webber isn’t that well liked, I dont know any fan that actually likes Webber and we are all Australian.
Ace
4th April 2010, 6:03
I like Webber. He’s a trooper.
Mike-e
3rd April 2010, 17:37
He achieved this thanks to Ferrari and McLaren failing to cars their cars out early enough….
maiden top ten finish and a point could be on the cars?
sorry keith, dont mean to be a prink… :)
Monad
4th April 2010, 3:22
I like this Tony Fernandes guy and his team. I’ve read an interview and he sounded like a very opened minded clever person. He has the right mentality.
BTW Keith, something wrong with this sentence.
“He achieved this thanks to Ferrari and McLaren failing to cars their cars out”
Renell
4th April 2010, 5:37
but there’s still daylight between them and whoever the slower “established” team, whether it’s the STR, Sauber or the Williams. i think if Lotus really are ambitious they should focus insteado on narrowing the gap between them and the “old teams”
BenH
4th April 2010, 10:51
Here’s a thought though. If it is a Malaysian/British team (supposedly), then which anthem will be played if they eve win? I can bet it won’t be God save the Queen.
Chaz
7th April 2010, 16:26
I like the symbolism behind Tony being given one of Colin’s caps but I personally still don’t really see Lotus F1 as being a truely Lotus outfit other than in name just yet…
Dish Pottery
12th May 2010, 22:07
Whoa, great post. I just now clicked a link to your website and I’m already a fan.