Lotus reveals new LMP1 at Le Mans

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Lotus, Racing



Lotus is at Le Mans this week where it has unveiled its new LMP1. Only it's not racing at Le Mans. And it's not really a Lotus, either.

The prototype belongs to an independent German team that ran a Lotus chassis in the LMP2 category last year, but was granted license by the FIA and ACO to step up to the top-tier LMP1 category to dice it with the front-running hybrids from Audi, Porsche and Toyota this year. Unfortunately, the team - which licenses the Lotus name from the automaker, much as the F1 team does - faced some setbacks. Not the least of those delays resulted from a mid-stream switch in engine suppliers from the Audi-sourced, naturally aspirated V8 it was originally set to use to a new turbocharged V6 from Advanced Engine Research.

As a result it wasn't ready for the Silverstone race that kicked off this season's World Endurance Championship in April. Nor was it ready for the second round at Spa in May or not for the headline event this weekend at Le Mans, but it aims to be on the track at the next round in Austin.

The Lotus P1/01 will be driven by former F1 driver Chrisitjan Albers, along with Le Mans veterans Christophe Bouchut, Thomas Holzer, Pierre Kaffer and James Rossiter. "For sure, it's strange to be here and not race," said Albers, "but the team is definitely remaining positive about the rest of the season, anything can happen in this sport."Continue reading Lotus reveals new LMP1 at Le Mans

Lotus reveals new LMP1 at Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jun 2014 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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