Lotus are set to celebrate their 500th grand prix at this weekend’s race in Valencia. Despite being classed as a new team, the team name has been around since 1956 when Colin Chapman created the Type 12 chassis – which will be in the pitlane on Thursday.
To mark the occasion, both Jarno Trulli’s and Heikki Kovalainen’s T127’s will feature a celebratory 500th race logo on their engine covers.
Team principal, Tony Fernandes described the honour of celebrating the event as an ‘absolute honour’.
“Celebrating the 500th race will be an absolute honour, and will obviously be very special, but we’re only nine races of the whole Lotus story.
“Really, this weekend is all about celebrating Colin Chapman’s history, and thanking Clive, his Mother Hazel, and all the people that have helped shape the Lotus legend. I’m thrilled that some of the people that were part of the original story are with us today, and I’m proud we’ve been able to take the total number of races Lotus has taken part in to 500 and beyond – hopefully we’ll be celebrating 1,000 races one day, and can look back on a legacy that pays true homage to that we’re celebrating this weekend – the legacy of Colin Chapman, his family, his cars and his team.”
Colin’s son, Clive, will be in attendance to represent his family at the anniversary.
“Of course the 500th Grand Prix for the Lotus marque is a significant landmark, and it was nice that Lotus Racing thought to invite my mother to attend – after all, Hazel Chapman is the person with the closest association to the Team Lotus history.
“Much as she wanted to accept, regretfully she decided against it, so I’ll be there with my family representing Classic Team Lotus and my father’s legacy.”
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