Lotus sets date for first IndyCar engine run

The works-aligned HVM Racing squad, whose workshop also serves as Lotus's IndyCar base, is scheduled to give the Lotus power plant its first run at Palm Beach International Raceway on January 13-14 with Simona de Silvestro behind the wheel.

The team will then join Chevrolet and Honda-powered squads when they resume their manufacturer testing at Sebring on January 16. Both of the latter manufacturers have already track-tested their engine on several occasions over the past two months.

HVM manager Vince Kremer told Indycar.com that his one-car team is working with other Lotus squads Dreyer & Reinbold and Bryan Herta Autosport in an effort to make up the ground lost by the lack of track time prior to Christmas.

"(The testing schedule) is quite ambitious, and that's just the on-track," he said. "We haven't talked about any off-track testing, seven-post shaker rig testing or twisting the chassis. The good thing is we're working as a co-operative group with Dreyer & Reinbold and Bryan Herta, and we seem to be working quite well together.

"Palm Beach will be more of an engine shakedown test. We're not really concerned about how many miles we run. Sebring will be getting more into developing the engine on the track."

Kremer also said that the HVM car would carry some sort of Lotus theme in its livery, despite being the only Lotus-aligned team not to run a black and gold colour scheme in 2012 due to an existing deal with sponsor Nuclear Clean Energy.

"We may go to a little darker green and have a yellow stripe," he said. Lotus has been very good about working it out with us. The recognition will still be there."