Proton and Lotus-Renault looks to build on partnership

Proton Group Managing Director Dato Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Bin Syed Mohd Tahir said at the press conference that the partnership between Proton and Lotus-Renault GP will help Proton to enhance its global presence as well as brand awareness, as well as utilize technologies developed from F1 onto their road cars.

Dato Sri Syed Zainal added that the Lotus-Renault team is happy with the results they have achieved this season, but are looking to progress further to the next level. This was echoed by Team Principal Eric Boullier, who claimed that there will be no let-up by Lotus-Renault for the rest of this season, as they looked to catch up to the other teams ahead of them in the Constructors’ Championship.

When asked for their thoughts about the demanding Singapore Grand Prix, team driver Vitaly Petrov lamented the high heat and humidity, as well as the numerous corners of the Marina Bay circuit, and claimed that it is one of the hardest Grand Prix on the calendar.

Petrov’s teammate Bruno Senna agreed, comparing driving an F1 car at the Singapore Grand Prix to a tough workout in a hot gym. The drivers also explained that they run on European time while in Singapore, sleeping from the early hours of the day until early afternoon.

Going forwards, the Lotus-Renault GP team looked to have better fortunes for the 2012 season, after a mid-season lull saw the team fall behind following a promising start to 2011. Boullier explained that the team struggled to stay competitive with their unique exhaust design for this season’s car, and hoped to further refine their car’s design and aerodynamics in order to push the team to the next level.

Boullier also shed some light on the Lotus-Renault team’s new simulator, which will be located at their Enstone headquarters. Boullier said that the team have now received planning permission, and construction of the new simulator is expected to be completed by March 2012.