Team Lotus (2010–2011)
Team Lotus, originally Lotus Racing, was a Malaysian-licensed Formula One racing team and constructor, based in Hingham, Norfolk, UK, which competed during the 2010 and 2011 Formula One seasons. The team scored no championship points in the two years it competed.
| Full name | Team Lotus (2011) Lotus Racing (2010) |
|---|---|
| Base | Hingham, Norfolk, United Kingdom |
| Noted staff | Riad Asmat Tony Fernandes Mike Gascoyne Keith Saunt |
| Noted drivers | Heikki Kovalainen Jarno Trulli Karun Chandhok |
| Next name | Caterham F1 Team |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| First entry | 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix |
| Races entered | 38 |
| Engines | Cosworth, Renault |
| Constructors' Championships | 0 |
| Drivers' Championships | 0 |
| Race victories | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Points | 0 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| Final entry | 2011 Brazilian Grand Prix |
The team was set up by a group of Malaysian businessmen led by Tony Fernandes using a licence from Lotus Cars owner Proton, for the use of the Lotus name in Formula One. It was run by a company called the 1Malaysia F1 Team Sdn Bhd then. The team gained its entry after the withdrawal of the BMW team in 2009. After having that licence terminated for further seasons, the team bought the historic Team Lotus brand in the 2011 season.
The Caterham Group was set up after Fernandes purchased British sportscar manufacturer Caterham Cars. Team Lotus, although forming part of the group, continued to compete under the Lotus name for the 2011 Formula One season. The team's name was eventually changed to "Caterham F1 Team" at the end of 2011, it also competed under the Caterham brand in conjunction with the Caterham Racing Junior Team which competed in the GP2 Series.