Lotus T128 (Formula One car)

Lotus T128
Davide Valsecchi driving the T128 during the free practice session of the Malaysian Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorLotus
Designer(s)Mike Gascoyne (Chief Technical Officer)
Dieter Gass (Deputy Technical Director)
Lewis Butler (Chief Designer)
Frank Ramowsky (Head of R&D)
Elliot Dason-Barber (Head of Vehicle Dynamics)
Marianne Hinson (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorLotus T127
SuccessorCaterham CT01
Technical specifications
Chassiscarbon-fibre and honeycomb composite monocoque
Suspension (front)carbon-fibre
Suspension (rear)carbon-fibre
EngineRenault RS27-2011 2,400 cc (146.5 cu in) 90° V8, limited to 18,000 RPM naturally aspirated, mid-mounted
TransmissionRed Bull Technologies Seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox with reverse gear
Weight640 kg (1,411 lb) (including driver)
FuelTotal
TyresPirelli P Zero
BBS Wheels (front and rear): 13"
Competition history
Notable entrantsTeam Lotus
Notable drivers20. Finland Heikki Kovalainen
21. Italy Jarno Trulli
21. India Karun Chandhok
Debut2011 Australian Grand Prix
Last event2011 Brazilian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
190000

The Lotus T128,[1] known prior to its launch by its project number TL11, is a Formula One motor racing car designed by Mike Gascoyne, Lewis Butler and Marianne Hinson for Team Lotus in the 2011 Formula One season. 2011 saw the car abandon its Cosworth engine in favour of one developed by Renault. The T128 was launched online on 31 January 2011.[2] Team Lotus retained an unchanged driver lineup in 2011, with 2010 drivers Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli racing the T128. It was confirmed that the team would start the season without the Kinetic Energy Recovery System, but senior figures suggested they would adopt it if the car proved successful,[3] however the team continued for the rest of the 2011 season without KERS. The team changed from the Cosworth CA2010 engine used in 2010 to the Renault RS27 series, as well as exchanging a transmission developed by X-Trac to one built by Red Bull Technologies. The design of the T128 also incorporated a "bladed" rollbar similar to the one developed by Mercedes in 2010, but thicker and with sturdier air intakes to conform with FIA regulations.

Pre-season

Kovalainen testing the T128 during the pre-season testing

Lotus Racing announced on 5 October 2010 that the team had agreed a deal with Red Bull Technology for the supply of gearboxes and hydraulic systems from 2011 onwards.[4] As part of a major technical team upgrade many Force India staff were leaving their jobs to join the team and aid with car development.[5][6] On 24 October 2010, the team confirmed that it will build a dedicated wind-tunnel facility at its British base. In addition, the team and its GP2 outfit Team AirAsia will expand operations at the existing factory site to take over a further two units, giving Team Air Asia a permanent home alongside the Lotus operation.[7] On 5 November 2010, the team confirmed an engine full-works partnership for the next two years with Renault.[8]

On 30 November 2010, the FIA released the entry list for the 2011 season in which Lotus Racing were listed under the "Team Lotus" name.[9] To show that the team was pressing ahead with its plans, they rebranded their factory, changed their official website and introduced a new team logo.[10] Chief executive Riad Asmat announced that he expected the car to be a genuine midfield runner and challenge for point-scoring positions.[11] Jarno Trulli said that the Lotus-sponsored Renault team had given Team Lotus plenty of motivation to perform more consistently.[12]

Team Lotus skipped the first day of the Valencia test opting to carry out a private test day at the end of the week instead. It was a good call as a power steering issue dogged the car after its roll out on Wednesday.  It limited most of the test to looking at launch systems, aero testing and basic systems checks. It also meant that the team was lacking on long runs and tyre data (it was running too slowly to really work the rubber).

2011 season

Trulli at his home race, the Italian Grand Prix, finishing 14th

In qualifying for the first race, the Australian Grand Prix, Team Lotus were eliminated in Q1, causing surprise within the team, who had expected to be much closer to the midfield, although they were ahead of both Virgins and HRTs. in the race, Heikki Kovalainen retired on lap 19 due to a water leak, while Jarno Trulli finished 13th, ahead of d'Ambrosio.[13]

Throughout the season, the T128 was faster than the Virgin cars and HRTs.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Points WCC
2011 Team Lotus Renault RS27 V8 P AUS MAL CHN TUR ESP MON CAN EUR GBR GER HUN BEL ITA SIN JPN KOR IND ABU BRA 0 10th
Kovalainen Ret 15 16 19 Ret 14 Ret 19 Ret 16 Ret 15 13 16 18 14 14 17 16
Trulli 13 Ret 19 18 18 13 16 20 Ret Ret 14 14 Ret 19 17 19 18 18
Chandhok TD TD TD TD 20 TD TD TD TD

References

  1. ^ Beer, Matt (31 January 2011). "Team Lotus unveils the new T128". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  2. ^ Noble, Jonathan (25 January 2011). "Lotus to unveil new car online". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
  3. ^ Beer, Matt (31 January 2011). "Lotus to start season without KERS". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  4. ^ "Lotus to use Red Bull gearbox in 2011". ESPN F1. ESPN Emea Ltd. 5 October 2010. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  5. ^ Noble, Jonathan; Elizalde, Pablo (18 October 2010). "Green to replace Smith at Force India". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 18 October 2010.
  6. ^ Collantine, Keith (2 June 2010). "Mark Smith leaves Force India for Lotus". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Retrieved 18 October 2010.
  7. ^ "Wind Tunnel Lays Foundation For Future Success". lotusracing.my. Lotus Racing. 24 October 2010. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  8. ^ "Renault Engine Partnership". lotusracing.my. Lotus Racing. 5 November 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
  9. ^ "2011 FIA Formula One World Championship". fia.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 6 January 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  10. ^ Noble, Jonathan (21 December 2010). "Team Lotus rebrands factory". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  11. ^ Benson, Andrew (17 January 2011). "Lotus must score points in 2011, says chief Riad Asmat". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  12. ^ Noble, Jonathan. "Trulli: Lotus dispute has motivated team - F1 - Autosport". Autosport.com. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  13. ^ "2011 Formula 1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix". Formula1.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
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