LOTUS RACING SET FOR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX THIS WEEKEND

KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) -- Nearly six months after gaining entry
into the 2010 Formula One (F1) World Championship, the Lotus Racing mean
machine, T127, will burn out the tarmac at the Sakhir Circuit for the first
practice session on Friday for the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend.

The team started its journey to Bahrain from its temporary headquarters
in Norfolk, England, on Saturday with six airfreight boxes including the two F1
cars with A 60-strong entourage.

As its gears up for the first Grand Prix, the whole team, including the
drivers, Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen, remained upbeat and honest about
its expectations for the first few races.

Trulli commented: "It would be nice to score a point, but it is not going to
be easy. We have to be realistic."

Chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne said: "Our test season was extremely
productive -- in general we've had very good reliability, and the team is in
very good shape going to the first race."


Team principle Tony Fernandes commented: "We are all looking forward
to
Bahrain, to have Lotus Racing on the grid will be a momentous occasion for all
involved and, indeed, for our fans, whose support has been absolutely fantastic
since we launched just under six months ago.

"Yes we are a little slower than the major leading teams. However, we
will
get there with passion, hard work and a clear vision -- our aim for this first
Grand Prix will be to finish and steadily but surely improve, race by race."

Bahrain will host the season opening of 2010 Formula One (F1) World
Championship from March 12 to 14 before the race moves to Australia on March 28.

Sepang will host the third of the 19-leg F1 race on April 4.

-- BERNAMA