-
Home
- TV Shows
- TV Schedule
- NASCAR
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
-
Latest Headlines: Moto-Racing
-
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
IndyCar
INDYCAR: Lotus Sale Won’t Impact Racing Plans; Working On Engine Supply
“For my side, there’s no problem,” Lotus racing boss Claudio Berro told SPEED.com. “As far as we’re aware, the situation in Malaysia changes nothing for us."
To the delight of the parties involved, the new Lotus IndyCar engine had no major surprises during its maiden tests. Now the rush is to get enough units produced before the season opener. (Paul Webb/LAT)
Fans of the Lotus brand can exhale, according to Director of Lotus Motorsport Claudio Berro.
The storied marque, as reported on Monday by Bloomberg, was bought by DRB-Hicom from Proton, the government-owned Malaysian auto manufacturer, but Berro does not believe the sale will impact any of Lotus’ motorsports programs.
“For my side, there’s no problem,” the Italian told SPEED.com. “As far as we’re aware, the situation in Malaysia changes nothing for us. Our support and development is very strong, and our focus again is delivery of our business plan, and motorsports is a crucial element of the business plan.”
With those concerns addressed, the next challenge for the Berro and his Group Lotus team will be to ensure enough of its new 2.2-liter V6 IndyCar engines will be ready in time for the season-opening race at St. Petersburg on March 25th.
Tight timelines and its late entry into the pool of 2012 IndyCar engine manufacturers has been problematic for Lotus, raising concerns amongst some of the teams planning to use the twin-turbo powerplant.
After conducting its first dyno runs late last year, Lotus’ Dallara DW12 turned its first laps last Friday with HVM Racing’s Simona de Silvestro behind the wheel—more than five months after its rival Honda started testing its single-turbo 2.2-liter V6.
Four days of trouble-free running by de Silvestro--shared between Palm Beach International Raceway and Sebring International Raceway--left everyone at Lotus, including its engine builder, Engine Developments Limited, feeling quite positive about their product.
But long lead times for some of the components supplied to EDL could hamper the company’s ability to manufacturer as many engines as it had originally intended prior to St. Pete.
“Lotus is a small company and INDYCAR knows,” Berro said of the supply issues they are trying to overcome.
“At the moment, we have four teams, with six cars for sure. We have a short time to produce more engines, and work hard to produce more engines. The problem is the supplier for critical parts in the engine, not produced by us. It is critically late. It’s is quite difficult to supply a lot of cars for the first race. This is very clear. We are in talks with INDYCAR. INDYCAR knows our limit[ed] numbers of engines. The car just [ran] and it is difficult to validate some components [prior to track testing].”
INDYCAR confirmed to SPEED.com that it is in discussion with Lotus on what measures can be taken to get its current partners on track as soon as possible, and also to meet its contractually obligated 40 percent of the field, which could be between 10 and 11 cars. If necessary, the series will also make additional test days available to any teams affected by engine shortages leading up to the first race.
The storied marque, as reported on Monday by Bloomberg, was bought by DRB-Hicom from Proton, the government-owned Malaysian auto manufacturer, but Berro does not believe the sale will impact any of Lotus’ motorsports programs.
“For my side, there’s no problem,” the Italian told SPEED.com. “As far as we’re aware, the situation in Malaysia changes nothing for us. Our support and development is very strong, and our focus again is delivery of our business plan, and motorsports is a crucial element of the business plan.”
With those concerns addressed, the next challenge for the Berro and his Group Lotus team will be to ensure enough of its new 2.2-liter V6 IndyCar engines will be ready in time for the season-opening race at St. Petersburg on March 25th.
Tight timelines and its late entry into the pool of 2012 IndyCar engine manufacturers has been problematic for Lotus, raising concerns amongst some of the teams planning to use the twin-turbo powerplant.
After conducting its first dyno runs late last year, Lotus’ Dallara DW12 turned its first laps last Friday with HVM Racing’s Simona de Silvestro behind the wheel—more than five months after its rival Honda started testing its single-turbo 2.2-liter V6.
Four days of trouble-free running by de Silvestro--shared between Palm Beach International Raceway and Sebring International Raceway--left everyone at Lotus, including its engine builder, Engine Developments Limited, feeling quite positive about their product.
But long lead times for some of the components supplied to EDL could hamper the company’s ability to manufacturer as many engines as it had originally intended prior to St. Pete.
“Lotus is a small company and INDYCAR knows,” Berro said of the supply issues they are trying to overcome.
“At the moment, we have four teams, with six cars for sure. We have a short time to produce more engines, and work hard to produce more engines. The problem is the supplier for critical parts in the engine, not produced by us. It is critically late. It’s is quite difficult to supply a lot of cars for the first race. This is very clear. We are in talks with INDYCAR. INDYCAR knows our limit[ed] numbers of engines. The car just [ran] and it is difficult to validate some components [prior to track testing].”
INDYCAR confirmed to SPEED.com that it is in discussion with Lotus on what measures can be taken to get its current partners on track as soon as possible, and also to meet its contractually obligated 40 percent of the field, which could be between 10 and 11 cars. If necessary, the series will also make additional test days available to any teams affected by engine shortages leading up to the first race.
INDYCAR BRAZIL
LATEST HEADLINES: AUTO-RACING
-
V8: Coulthard, Whincup On Top In Qualifying At COTA
Brad Jones Racing and Red Bull Racing Australia end up on top for… -
PHOTOS: V8 Supercars COTA Gallery
UPDATED: View more than 90 photos from Austin as V8 Supercar drivers… -
V8: COTA Friday Notebook
John Dagys explores some of the storylines from the first… -
V8: Lowndes Quickest On Friday At COTA
Red Bull Racing driver tops time charts in opening day of practice… -
INDYCAR: Viso Hits 229.537 On Wet Friday At Indy
Fast Friday's activities turned into Wet Friday just past 3 p.m.… -
MILLER: Indy Needs To Become The Week Of May
Despite decent to great weather, the Speedway has been empty the… -
INDYCAR: 230 MPH Pole Speeds At Indy Possible On Saturday
If the conditions are right on Saturday’s run for the pole,… - More News
