Group Lotus have announced today the acquisition of a major stake in the Renault F1 team. So, in 2011, the Renault F1 team will be known as the Lotus Renault F1 GP team.

This is absolutely nothing to do with the Current Lotus F1 team run by the multi-millionaire Air Asia boss.  That’s the team which made it’s debut in the 2010 season…

There was a whole bunch of talk about how the ‘current’ Lotus team had in fact acquired the Lotus Grand Prix ‘name’ – I assume that’s all dead in the water now?

2011 Lotus Renault F1 Car

The Lotus Renault car will look like the old JPS Lotus from the ‘good old days’ so from that perspective this is really exciting – I love seeing those old branded cars out there.

Lotus today – in road cars, is owned by Proton, the Malaysian car company.  They see this as a way to bring F1 technology (KERS etc) into their cars – Great – but how confusing!

And also – Are Renault the CAR company at all related to PROTON?  If not, this would be like having the BMW Mercedes F1 team!

I’m confused!

Wow, this is confusing – I shall be following James Allen’s blog to keep in touch!

Below is the FULL statement from the team:

Group Lotus plc and Genii Capital are pleased to announce a partnership which will see the Renault F1 Team renamed as ‘Lotus Renault GP’ from the start of the 2011 racing season onwards. The association heralds the return of a highly successful Formula 1™ association between Lotus and Renault from the 1980s. Lotus’ racing pedigree and heritage coupled with Renault’s technology in Formula 1™ will set the united team on a path to future success.

Group Lotus plc will acquire a major equity stake in the team from Genii Capital. The transaction represents a partnership between Group Lotus and Genii Capital and signifies the beginning of a more comprehensive strategic alliance between the two organisations.

The partnership between Lotus and Genii brings the ability to quickly incorporate new technologies from F1™ cars into Lotus road cars including hybrid technology, Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS), aero advancements and lightweight materials. Genii, an investment holding company with a portfolio of automotive technologies, bring non-F1™ technologies such as lightweight braking systems, variable compression engine technology and on board software systems to the partnership.

Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar said: “I can think of no better platform for automotive brand communications than motorsport and F1™. We’re well aware that there has been a lot of controversy around the usage of our brand in F1™ and I’m delighted to be able to formally clarify our position: We are Lotus, and we are back.”

Dato’ Sri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, Chairman of Proton, Lotus majority shareholder, said: “We know that Group Lotus has much to offer Formula 1™ and vice versa. After careful consideration, we believe this arrangement will be fruitful, both from a commercial and marketing point of view.”

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Proton advisor and former Prime Minister of Malaysia, said: “This is an exciting development which delivers strategic benefits to both Group Lotus and Proton. I fully support the partnership.”

Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of Renault, commented: “This multi-partner alliance will bring a new dynamic to the team and enable it to compete with the sport’s best from next season.”

In addition to this, Genii is also offering Proton the ability to leverage on its existing business relationships in Russia and other parts of the world, as a means to expand Proton’s global reach. Through Genii, Proton can also potentially access advanced automotive technologies by virtue of Genii’s association with Mangrove, a venture capital group.

Gerard Lopez, founding partner of Genii Capital, said: “For Group Lotus, access to Formula 1™ opens up new marketing opportunities and a major platform for business exchanges and development. In this regard, Genii Capital possesses shareholdings in, and direct access to, cutting edge companies in the automotive industry. Our tie-up with Group Lotus and Proton, which will enable its future road car ranges to take advantage of significant new technologies, is a natural step.”

The last year and this have been brilliant, great racing, close championship – a real leap forward for the sport.

I’m unashamedly a fan of Mark Webber – it’s the Australian way.  Tonight’s German GP was always going to be a stretch for him, a poor first corner on his flying lap meant he could do no better than 4th on the Grid.

A reluctant embrace from Massa toward Alonso at race end

So, what of the race.  Well, it was destroyed by Ferrari.

The race started with Sebastian Vettel getting bogged down off the line (ie: not getting a great start).  He immediately turned right, pushed Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari toward the wall, and in his haste he let Felipe Massa run fast around the outside and take the lead – he led for some 60 odd laps.  Behind him was his team-mate Alonso.

Throughout, it was clear – Massa didn’t quite have as much pace as Alonso.  Did Alonso pass him, or even look to try? No.

Only once did he even look like it, when Massa had a bad run through backmarkers..

For the Race Engineer of Massa it was a gut-renching radio communication “Alonso is faster than you” – simple as that.  Everyone watching, Every commentator I heard – BBC, ONEHD, Five Live all said it was team orders.  If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it is a Duck.

Let’s take a look at the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations – A quick search for the word ‘Orders’ shows this:

39) THE RACE

39.1 Team orders which interfere with a race result are prohibited.

There’s your duck people.

What Ferrari did is expressly forbidden by the FIA.

If they do NOT strip them of this race win, it is a slap in the face of the Fans.

Bring on the post race interviews.  Massa will be a Gentleman and say nothing.  Alonso must hold his head in shame.  He couldn’t do it.

Massa made the best start, he deserves the win.

Formula 1 is a shameful sport right now.  Ferrari is the reason.

Would I have preferred to see Massa and Alonso come to blows on the track?  Perhaps – A wheel to wheel race would be great – make them pass.  The evidence of this was Vettel’s stupid attempt to Pass Mark Webber earlier in the year – He was hot headed and cost himself anything.  That’s the risk you take if you don’t get track position.

I’m not happy.  Not Happy at all.

It’s pretty amazing really. Just have a look at that – so so very complicated.

And add to that some crazy new ‘move your hand to block this hold’ F-Duct situation, and If you don’t have respect for F1 drivers doing all this at 300kph – you’re mad.

Love it… Picture follows (continue reading to see it)

Redd Bull Racing F1 Steering Wheel

Enjoy!

This morning, reading James Allen’s analysis of events (http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2010/05/so-is-vettel-the-favoured-son-at-red-bull/) I realise there is much more at play here.

Why was Mark not allowed the same fuel mix at that time, the mix which gave Seb such pace?  Why didn’t Mark’s engineer tell him about this (did the engineer even know!)

Why does Red Bull favour Seb?  Long term planning?, he’s young after all.

Whatever you think, that race was taken from Mark last night, and Mark is an easily frustrated guy.  With his contract for next year unsure, expect this to be the reason it won’t be settled any time soon.

Neither Mark nor Red Bull will want to negotiate with this hanging over their heads.  But rest assured, Mark will now be looking at other drives for 2011 with wide open eyes…

I read this story http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/nasa-space-balloon-crashes-into-car-in-alice-springs-on-take-off/story-e6frfku0-1225859896618 with interest on the News.com.au website about the NASA Balloon crash in Alice Springs.

The interesting thing for me was the advertisement to the right of the story – for me, multiple times it was a Tourism Australia ad – using a very Northern Territory advertising look and feel to it, and the opening graphic was a Hot Air Balloon.  Yep, far from being a NASA space Balloon, but still funny placement.

Gotta love keyword advertising.

NASA Balloon Advertising

NASA Balloon Advertising (Second Frame)

Well, as we know by now, its time as a racing venue is over, and it now heads the way of Amaroo up at Annangrove with housing set to take over.

For me, i look at Amaroo and think – Really – Was this necessary?  It’s out in the North West and frankly it seems like all that was lost for around a dozen homes.  If Oran Park is to feel like a better ‘loss’ i’d like to see a complete community built on the site!

Anyway – I was sent some photos this week which will make those memories fade even quicker – Sadly, the one missing is one of the Yokohama Bridge, an Iconic part of Australian Motorsport – I wonder what has happened to it?

Oran Park 'Raceway' - The Main Straight - Almost Ripped up

Oran Park 'Raceway' - the Pit Buildings and Corporate Suites

Oran Park 'Raceway'

Oran Park 'Raceway'

Oran Park 'Raceway' - All the old Tyre Walls

What are your memories of Oran park?

Mine are of the Group A races back in the early 90′s – the Nissan GTR’s i loved:), the Group E production cars were great to watch , A fantastic private test session with the best privateers ever Steve Reed and Trevor Ashby in their Group A commodore before Bathurst in I THINK it was 1986, a cold and wet evening up in the Commentary Tower on the infield with David Tapp and Leigh Diffey – helping out while they called some Super Touring Cars and there was a Truck Racing exhibition that night too – the leaks in that tower were probably never fixed.. Being in the Pits one weekend and admiring the team with Frank Gardner and the B&H BMW’s, and Glenn Seton’s Blue Sierra among others….  Could go on really!

have a look at these YouTube video’s i’ve found:)
Brock and co – 1995 ATCC

1991 ATCC with GTR’s and all (Mike Raymond Commentary on 7):

And here’s one you’ll remember – Paul Morris and Mark Larkham coming together on the Grid with a Huge Fire as a result – Commentary by my old mate Greg Rust and the Late great Barry Sheen:

Tragic photos really… but – it’s over now!

The other key note was the Photo of iPod Nano’s used to power the broadcast output.

So, to provide an industry flashback, I dug up my own such photos …

Launched on the 25th March 2005 and running for the best part of that year, this iPod shuffle powered ’2GB Plus, with highlights from various shows, and even commercials in between – all udpated whenever we felt necessary.

Ahhh… memories..

2GB Digital Plus iPod Shuffle

2GB Digital Plus iPod Shuffle

James’ blog:

http://james.cridland.net/blog/kick-starting-dab-the-hong-kong-way/

His Photo from Hong Kong:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamescridland/4284309377/in/set-72157623062152925/