So Team Lotus Racing is now Caterham F1 for the 2012 Formula1 season. A much needed change in their corporate identity, after all, we had two teams named ‘Lotus’ this season. (Read post: Of Formula1 And Team Name Changes)
While one Lotus (read Lotus Renault GP) almost lost their 5th place in the Constructor’s Championship to Sahara Force India, the other Lotus (read Team Lotus Racing) scored zero points yet again and barely managed to hold on to their 10th place it the championship table.
Team Lotus Racing has been around in Formula1 for two seasons. 38 races have yielded zero points and the team was struggling to keep their 10th place in the championship table in the 2011 Formula1 season. The team has employed services of three drivers yet, Heikki Kovalainen, Jarno Trulli and Karun Chandhok (who drove one race – 2011 German Grand Prix) and managed a best place of 12th in 2010 and only a 13th in 2011.
The team switched their engine partner from Cosworth to Renault in 2011 and has been able to poach a few key staff away from their rivals Sahara Force India. Gascoyne, whose role has been further strengthened in the group, will have his task cut out for the next season.
Fernandes and Gascoyne have often used the excuse of them being a ‘newcomer’ team for lack of strong and consistent performances. However, with the Caterham F1 team entering their third season in the sport no longer should the beating the Virgin and HRT cars be satisfactory. Consistent appearances in Q2 of qualifying and a decent haul of points should be the team’s target. However, will they be able to pull their weight and compete regularly with Sauber, Toro Rosso and WilliamsF1?
Read similar posts:
- Jarno Trulli extends Team Lotus contract, where will Karun Chandhok be in 2012?
- Team Lotus Racing hand a raw deal to Karun Chandhok
- Of Formula1 and team name changes