Lotus Indycar
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IZOD IndyCar driver Simona De Silvestro challenged the back of the field today at the Milwaukee Mile during qualification for tomorrow's Milwaukee IndyFest. The Swiss pilot of the #78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy car was less than a five-tenths of a second behind Charlie Kimball who qualified 21st and even closer to Oriol Servia's and Ed Carpenter's qualifying times. The team has struggled all season with horsepower issues and is extremely excited to be gaining ground on the other engine manufacturers. HVM Racing is the lone remaining team running the Lotus engine and has been at a disadvantage early on due to the manufacturer's late arrival to the series. De Silvestro and t…
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The IZOD IndyCar teams and drivers are on the road again for a fourth week in a row. The next stop will be West Allis, Wisconsin, at the historic Milwaukee Mile for the Milwaukee IndyFest. It has been a long-standing tradition for IndyCar to go to Milwaukee. As Paul Newman used to say, back in 1969 “We always go to Milwaukee after Indy”. The Milwaukee Mile is the oldest operating motor speedway in the world. It’s been around since 1903. This is where 1992 Formula One world champion and Lotus legend Nigel Mansell won his first oval race, back in 1993. Last year IndyCar champion, Dario Franchitti (#10 – Target Chip Ganassi Racing) won the race here from pole. The driv…
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It was a very disappointing night for Simona de Silvestro and the Lotus HVM Racing team. After strong practice and qualifying runs this weekend, the team came to Texas full of hope with an updated exhaust system that offered a promise of more speed and competitiveness. Unfortunately, the car was unable to start the race. At 8:50 pm (ET), when the command was given to start the engines, two cars did not start on grid, Rubens Barichello’s #8 machine (KV Racing Technology) and Simona’s #78 car. “No fuel pressure” were the words that resounded over the HVM radio. The team rushed the car back to the garage to see what could be done to get the #78 machine to join th…
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Best Finish of the Season so far for Lotus HVM Racing Lotus driver Simona de Silvestro (#78 – Lotus HVM Racing) scored her best season finish in Sunday’s Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. After starting at the back of the field because of an engine change penalty, she’d worked her way up to 13th position by the time the checker flag flew. “I think we can be pretty happy because we finished the race,” said the Swiss driver. “The guys worked really hard the whole weekend just to get the car turned around. We had a really strong racecar; we just have to work on the engine side. It’s still not where we want it to be. I hope we’ll get some updates for the next couple o…
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Lotus legend, double world champion and two-times Indy 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi reflects on the weekends action in Monaco and Indianapolis… Emerson, you never won the Monaco Grand Prix. Does it feel like there's something missing in your trophy cabinet? Every race I entered I wanted to win, and Monaco was no exception. I got close to getting it done, but not quite. Kimi Räikkönen picked up two points, but it was a rather disappointing race for Lotus. Romain Grosjean's crash at the start must have been quite scary. How difficult is it in Monaco to get through the first corner without tripping up? Each time I watch Monaco I cannot help thinking how the …
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The Indy 500 requires balls, luck and grunt. There’s no shortage of courage at Lotus, and we’re hopeful our fortunes will turn for the better. We all knew going into Sunday’s race that we were struggling with performance. Lotus-powered drivers Simona de Silvestro (#78 – Lotus HVM Racing) and rookie Jean Alesi (#64 – Lotus Fan Force United) did all that they could to stay with the pack, but after nine laps of the 2.5 mile Brickyard the race director called them into the pits to retire. Both cars had made the cut in qualifying, but by lapping outside 105 percent of the leader’s pace in the race – 10-12mph shy – they were black-flagged. Simona’s top speed was 205…
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Friday 25th May Carb day at the Brickyard. The final day of practice for the Indianapolis 500. The Lotus Fan Force United team and Jean Alesi need their #64 FP Journe-sponsored machine to get as much track time as possible. Alas, this was not to be. The green flag flew over the Speedway at 11am, and Jean Alesi, driving with a freshly-mounted Lotus engine, steered on to the circuit for an installation lap. One lap is needed for a leak check before the team and driver get busy seeing what exactly their new and upgraded powerplant can muster. Checking over the rear of the car that has been effectively taken apart and re-assembled since Sunday’s qualifying run, and with…
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Thursday 24th May It’s Thursday, the day before Carb Day. The Lotus Fan Force United team has been working flat-out since Monday morning to get the #64 FP Journe DW12 prepared for the final day of practice. We’ve received and installed our new Lotus engine, hopeful that it will provide Jean with just a bit more grunt for race day. It is more than worth noting that the Lotus Fan Force United team comes to the Indy 500 as the only true “one-off” for this year’s race. Yes, there are entries that are “Indy-only,” but all of those single-event entries are being fielded in association with a full-time team. Fan Force United, with tremendous support from Lotus, have taken on t…
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Sunday was Bump Day Qualifying at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. More of the same hot weather (87 degrees) under partly cloudy skies. The Lotus cars went out to qualify and put in all their laps. Simona de Silvestro (#78 – Lotus HVM Racing) was clocked at 214.393mph while Jean Alesi (#64 – Lotus Fan Force United) recorded a time 210.094 mph. No additional cars showed up to qualify which means all 33 cars will be on grid for the Indy 500, next Sunday. “Now I can breathe” said Jean Alesi, after completing today’s qualifying. Even though his Lotus F.P.Journe car wasn’t up to speed, he was happy. “I am so fortunate to be here, for my fans, for everyone here who supported …
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Dragon Racing has sued Lotus for at least $4.6 million in damages, accusing the engine manufacturer of damaging its reputation by spreading "especially outrageous" falsehoods about the IndyCar team while failing to deliver two chassis and hurting its ability to be competitive. The lawsuit, filed Friday in California Superior Court in Los Angeles, is just the latest blow for Lotus. The manufacturer has just one team left in the IndyCar Series after Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and Bryan Herta Autosport were released from their contracts late last month. Dragon fields cars for Sebastien Bourdais and Katherine Legge. Owner Jay Penske did not respond to a request for commen…
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Sao Paulo, Brazil (April 29, 2012) - Lotus HVM Racing had an early exit from today's Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 presented by Nestle. The #78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy car was running well, having climbed to 16th place before driver Simona De Silvestro reported an issue with sixth gear. De Silvestro pitted and it was determined that she would be able to continue the race, provided she didn't attempt to use sixth gear. Unfortunately, only ten laps later, the car stalled on track and could not be restarted, thus ending the day for De Silvestro. "It was difficult for sure," she said. "I think we ran pretty good in practice this morning and we were looking forward to having a…
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Lotus’ IndyCar teams have checked into the Hotel California for Round 3, on the Sunny streets of beautiful downtown Long Beach. The temporary street circuit has been hosting IndyCar racing since 1984. The Grand Prix of Long Beach is not just about racing. It’s a fun fan-friendly event with rock concerts and plenty of other activities for the family. The Lotus drivers are pumped up and really looking forward to this palm-fringed race. Sebastien Bourdais Looking To Pick Up Where He Left Off Coming off an impressive performance at Barber Motorsports Park where he scored Lotus’ first top-ten finish, Sebastien Bourdais (#7 – Lotus Dragon Racing) looks to continue hi…
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After a tough race at Barber Motorsports Park, Alex Tagliani asked the fans to send "cheer up" quotes for the team. The fans responded and Alex has a special message... From:BryanHertaAutosport Views:9 0ratingsTime:01:28More inSports
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Two races into Lotus’ campaign, powering five cars on the IndyCar grid, its engines have shown great potential and a big step forward. Sebastien Bourdais finished ninth, giving Lotus its first Top 10 finish as an IZOD IndyCar Series manufacturer. “It feels like a victory”, said Sebastien Bourdais (# 7 Lotus Dragon Racing) with a trembling voice, as he stepped out of the car at the end of the race. Bourdais, who drove one of the most exciting races of his career, added “I am so happy for the guys on my team. They worked so hard to give me a good car. The Lotus car was awesome. It was so dialed in. Jay Penske put a great team together, and I am so happy to be reunited aga…
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The Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama started and ended on lap one for Alex Tagliani and his Team Barracuda – BHA crew, due to engine failure on Sunday afternoon. The No. 98 car started on the outside of the last row, after having to change the engine following last week’s race in St. Pete. When Lotus identified a problem in their data, the engine change resulted in a ten-position penalty on this weekend’s starting grid. “We took the green flag, went into turn one and the engine just died,” said Tagliani. “It seems to be a pretty heavy mechanical failure from what I understand. It’s very disappointing for the Barracuda Networks and Bowers & Wilkins crew.” H…
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