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Trulli calls for patience at Lotus launch

LONDON - Lotus will have to be patient to become successful in Formula One, driver Jarno Trulli told Reuters on Friday as the team unveiled their new car.

“The first mile (step) was just to get the car ready for this launch,” Trulli said. “We have to be patient and have a low profile and prepare for 2011 in a much better way.

“Next season is a more realistic target for achievement. We have to make good progress this year.

“We have to establish ourselves in Formula One as a new team, be solid and strong and, hopefully, by mid-season we can work our way up to the middle of the grid.”

The Malaysian-owned outfit launched the T127, built in Norfolk, England, at a lavish ceremony.

Trulli and team mate Heikki Kovalainen were joined on stage by team principal Tony Fernandes and chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne as the covers were whipped off the visually striking green and yellow car.

Trulli believes a realistic target is for the team to be the best of the new entries on this season’s grid.

Lotus, out of F1 since 1994, were only granted entry for the 2010 season in September and will compete alongside other newcomers Virgin Racing, Campos Meta and U.S. F1.

FIRST TARGET

“We have to be realistic,” said Trulli. “As we always say, we have to be the best of the new teams.

“This will be the first target we have to achieve. We all want to be on the front row but joining the club so late, it is unrealistic to think otherwise.”

Trulli, who drove for Toyota before the team pulled out of the sport in 2009, said this season will provide him with a different challenge.

“I know I have to be patient this year. I will have to work with the car and give the direction to improve it and make it ready for next year.

“If we can pick up our first point it will be an emotional moment. It was 16 years ago that a Lotus car was on the track and it is great to have it back where it belongs.”

The car was put through its paces for the first time in a shakedown at Silverstone on Tuesday before an official test session in Jerez, Spain next week.

Gascoyne, who has worked for several grand prix teams including Jordan, Renault and Toyota, believes they are in good shape ahead of the new season.

“I don’t think, given the hand we were dealt, we could have done a single thing better,” he said. “I have to take my hat off to everyone in the team.

“The shakedown tests went pretty well. The parts arrived very late but we got a few laps and actually found a few niggles that would have been a problem for us in Jerez and I think we go there in really good shape. We are going to be a really good.”