Lotus launches 2010 car in London

Lotus became the latest Formula 1 team to launch its 2010 challenger, as the wraps officially came off the new car in London on Friday.

As revealed exclusively by AUTOSPORT's spy shot earlier this week, the new car - named T127 - carries the colours used by the legendary team back in the 1950s and 1960s.

The Lotus name is returning to Formula 1 this year having quit the sport at the end of the 1994 season. The team is now owned by Malaysian businessman Tony Fernandes.

"Words cannot express how I feel today," said Fernandes. "It is an amazing job to get an F1 licence, have five people in Hingham and turn up today with this car.

"I was thrilled when Clive [Chapman] said that this was just like te beginning of Lotus back in the early days."

He added: "We know we have a huge burden on our shoulders, standing on the shoulders of giants - Clark, Moss, Hill, and Mansell. We know we have a tremendous journey in front of us, we are honoured and cherished to be a part of history - we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts and we will do our best to return Lotus to its glory days."

The new car was shaken down at the Silverstone circuit earlier this week and the team is scheduled to begin testing at the Jerez circuit alongside rivals from next week.

Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen will be the men in charge of racing the Lotus cars this year.

Lotus is the second new team to complete and launch its car ahead of the start of the 2010 season. Technical chief Mike Gascoyne said Lotus is aiming to do a professional job this year.

"We are looking in really good shape," Gascoyne told AUTOSPORT earlier this week. "We have to improve the pace of our car and the results from wind tunnel, but that will come with time.

"Our first aim was to be on the grid - to be a professional team where everything is to be F1 standard. We definitely will do that. The team will look good and step one has been achieved."