Team Lotus not going to move to Kuala Lumpur after all

duke_toaster · 4 Apr 2010, 15:33 (Ref:2666651)

http://bbc.co.uk/i/s2vlz/?t=34m40s - comment on BBC F1 forum, geolocked to UK.

Tony Fernandes appears to have seen sense, saying that the team will stay in Hingham. This looks very promising, as it would not only cement their legitimacy as Lotus but also ensures that the team will be competitive.

**Born Racer** · 4 Apr 2010, 15:36 (Ref:2666653)

I've seen it said that Toyota had trouble attracting staff due to their Köln location. I don't know if this is the reason why, as Sauber/BMW seem to have done okay over the years on that front.

US F1 had various problems. Who knows if their location didn't help?

mountainstar · 5 Apr 2010, 00:38 (Ref:2666873)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Born Racer

I've seen it said that Toyota had trouble attracting staff due to their Köln location. I don't know if this is the reason why, as Sauber/BMW seem to have done okay over the years on that front.

US F1 had various problems. Who knows if their location didn't help?

Actually I remember Peter Sauber saying it took a bit of extra effort and paperwork(Switzerland not in the EU) to attract good people to the team and keep them there.

US F1's problems were far bigger than their location. Charlotte, NC is a major hub for motorsports and the technology and expertise in that area is getting to the point it can match anything in the UK.

Juntos · 5 Apr 2010, 10:29 (Ref:2667017)

Malaysia is not ready for F1 high-tech yet. Give time to time. Lotus needs to perform in F1 before any crazy move to motherland. Lotus defeat now is the victory of their future.

duke_toaster · 5 Apr 2010, 12:05 (Ref:2667059)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainstar

Actually I remember Peter Sauber saying it took a bit of extra effort and paperwork(Switzerland not in the EU) to attract good people to the team and keep them there.

US F1's problems were far bigger than their location. Charlotte, NC is a major hub for motorsports and the technology and expertise in that area is getting to the point it can match anything in the UK.

Switzerland is non-EU, and not in the EEA (Norway and Iceland are, but Iceland are in the process of joining the EU, expect that in 2012), but there are some agreements about some things. I don't know about work permits though.

NC does have plenty of motorsport talent, an F1 grade wind tunnel (I don't know how good the wind tunnel at Hingham is) and things, but the question is about people with F1 experience. I do agree that a reasonable team could be run from there, but it would be more of a challenge than running it in the UK. One point is that both Virgin and Lotus are out of the traditional cluster around Oxford and Silverstone, RTN in Hingham being out in Norfolk and Virgin further away near Sheffield.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juntos

Malaysia is not ready for F1 high-tech yet. Give time to time. Lotus needs to perform in F1 before any crazy move to motherland. Lotus defeat now is the victory of their future.

Whilst the money is coming from Malaysia (although it appears Tony Fernandes may well move to Norfolk to be with the team, so some of the cheques may well be coming from within the county in future), I would still say that Lotus's motherland is the UK. Indeed, IMO Lotus is one of the UK's greatest sports teams ever, bearing in mind in the stakes of winning the most European or World championships, they come ahead of Liverpool FC ...

Pingguest · 5 Apr 2010, 12:13 (Ref:2667060)

If Lotus would move to Malaysia, it would become evident that the current team shares nothing but its name with Colin Chapman's legacy, wouldn't it?

duke_toaster · 5 Apr 2010, 12:14 (Ref:2667061)

Multipost bug removal

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pingguest

If Lotus would move to Malaysia, it would become evident that the current team shares nothing but its name with Colin Chapman's legacy, wouldn't it?

They do have some of the Colin Chapman legacy now, but it would certainly be eroded by moving the team to Malaysia - which appears to be removed from the table. It was originally part of the plan, but it appears the team will be staying in Norfolk after all.

Pingguest · 5 Apr 2010, 12:31 (Ref:2667067)

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

They do have some of the Colin Chapman legacy now [...]

This makes me wonder what exactly the current Team Lotus shares with Colin Chapman's legacy, apart from its name.

duke_toaster · 5 Apr 2010, 12:44 (Ref:2667074)

The approval of the Chapman family and support from Lotus Cars for a start ...

P38 in workshop · 5 Apr 2010, 17:55 (Ref:2667214)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pingguest

This makes me wonder what exactly the current Team Lotus shares with Colin Chapman's legacy, apart from its name.

Not the name,Lotus Racing is the current entry.

strider · 5 Apr 2010, 18:27 (Ref:2667229)

I think it's a good idea if they do stay put because it keeps the link with Lotus strong and there are plenty of good people available in that area.

As far as I know the Team Lotus name still belongs to David Hunt, although it can't be worth so much now that the new Lotus team is establishing itself. If anything, I think it's better it should have a new name, but with the blessing of the Chapman family.

duke_toaster · 5 Apr 2010, 18:32 (Ref:2667233)

It has a new name (Lotus Racing) and the blessing of the Chapman family. Ideally, it would have closer links with Lotus Cars, but that may well come later. I know the thread title says Team Lotus, but that's because I used the team tag, and just called the outfit Lotus.

**Adam43** · 5 Apr 2010, 18:51 (Ref:2667237)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Born Racer

I've seen it said that Toyota had trouble attracting staff due to their Köln location. I don't know if this is the reason why, as Sauber/BMW seem to have done okay over the years on that front.

US F1 had various problems. Who knows if their location didn't help?

A friend of mine worked (still does) for Toyota F1 in Koln. It is a nice place.

It must make a difference to people though. I don't think I'd have seen myself staying there for a long time.

Ralf's Girl · 5 Apr 2010, 20:36 (Ref:2667306)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Born Racer

I've seen it said that Toyota had trouble attracting staff due to their Köln location. I don't know if this is the reason why, as Sauber/BMW seem to have done okay over the years on that front.

There's a bit of a difference between a team being based in Germany/Switzerland and being based in Malaysia - not just in terms of attracting the right people, but it didn't seem feasible for a team competing in what is still a predominantly European championship to be based so far away. There would (I assume, having never run a Formula One team) be logistical issues with transporting the cars, spare parts, updates etc, and their drivers might not fancy relocating to Malaysia so that they can get to the factory in between races.

I would like to see them stay in the UK, partly because it's where Lotus "should" be, but also because it's the common sense decision from the point of view of developing the team and making it competitive.

johntt · 7 Apr 2010, 17:30 (Ref:2668357)

Moving to Malaysia (and thus away from Britain and one of the big centres of motorsport engineering) would kill nay progress that team would have made.

Tony Fernandes can see this thankfully.

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