Official: Trulli and Kovalainen confirmed with Lotus in 2010

Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen will be the two race drivers for Lotus next year. The new Formula 1 team confirmed its lineup during a press conference held in Malaysia today. The Malaysian, Fairuz Fauzy, was also announced as the team’s third driver.

This line-up was officially revealed by the Malaysian Minister of Sports, Ahmad Shabery Cheek, during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur. The minister emphasized that the government will support the new team.

« I am very happy that local talents are helping to lead this team, » said Cheek. « I am delighted that the driver development program is already in place to promote motorsport as an affordable sporting activity for Malaysians. »

« This project will not only allow our country to hold its head high, but will also serve as a launching pad for future growth in the high-tech industry in Malaysia. Indeed, this project must be supported 100% by Malaysians, individuals or companies, to ensure it becomes a success. »

« Since the Prime Minister announced the F1 project in Malaysia in September, I am very happy to note that the team has made significant progress. The car is fully built and has been tested. I believe it will make an impression next season. »

The Malaysian minister also congratulated Lotus on its choice of experienced drivers, stating: “I am personally impressed by the Lotus drivers for next year who combine experience, dynamism, and endurance.”

Trulli joins Lotus after Toyota decided to withdraw from the sport last month, while Kovalainen left McLaren, where he will be replaced by the reigning world champion, Jenson Button. Lotus team principal, Tony Fernandes, also praised the drivers’ experience.

« Trulli will bring us a lot of experience to develop the team. Kovalainen is a young driver with a lot of experience so I think we have two fantastic drivers not to mention Fauzy. It’s a wonderful mix of experience, youth, and passion for the sport. »

Lotus is one of the four new teams to join the grid in 2010, along with Campos Meta, USF1, and Manor future Virgin Racing. Fernandes stated that the team’s goal was to be the best of the newcomers.

We do not set big goals, but we at least want to be the best of the new teams. I think this demonstrates our seriousness today by announcing two world-class drivers.

For Trulli, it will be the third time in his F1 career that he will team up with technical director Mike Gascoyne, having worked with the Briton at Renault and then at Toyota. The Italian admitted that it was a source of motivation to join Lotus: “I was impressed by the team’s long-term vision and the technical staff,” Trulli admitted in a statement. “Tony has very ambitious plans, and I am ready to help the team reach these high goals.”

« I am also happy to be alongside Mike Gascoyne, someone with whom I have been associated many times. I get along very well with him and respect his working style. »

Kovalainen also emphasized how impressed he is with the team’s progress, stating: « I recently visited our factory and was impressed to see how far the team has come in such a short time since its launch in September. Everyone is determined to achieve Tony’s ambitious goals. I knew immediately that it would be a fantastic opportunity to help them achieve their goals. »

As for Fauzy, 27, he stated that joining Lotus was the highlight of his driving career, which includes tests for Spyker in F1, races in the GP2 and A1GP series, and more recently races in Formula Renault 3.5, where he finished second in the 2009 championship.

« There is no greater honor than having the chance to drive for your country, » said the Malaysian. « I was given the opportunity to do so in A1GP, but in F1 it’s something else. I look forward to working closely with Jarno and Heikki on the development of the car and the team. I am sure we can make Malaysia a nation proud to be in Formula 1. »