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Lotus eager to hit back at F1 doubters
Source: Agencies |
April 1, 2010, Thursday
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WITH Lotus' first home grand prix just days away, team boss Tony Fernandes would like nothing more than to upstage the Formula One old guard who have dismissed the newcomers as irrelevant.
However Fernandes knows that victory is a long way beyond Lotus' reach at this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix.
After the first two races of the season, Lotus has achieved its goal of being the best of the three new teams for 2010, outperforming Virgin and Hispania. However its performance is still a long way off the top constructors, and Fernandes feels driven to change the way his team is regarded by the top end of pitlane.
"No one takes us too seriously at the moment so we are fairly welcome," Fernandes said. "There is a bit of snobbery as well, that these guys are four seconds off the pace or whatever. Its funny, people have short memories. Everyone had a beginning, no one walked in and became world champions.
"It motivates me. That is one of the weaknesses of the human spirit, to not give people a chance. I have faced it all my life with Air Asia. We've always been the underdogs, but we've built up and earned respect."
Fernandes is not concerned that enthusiasm for the team may wane in Malaysia as fans' patience is tested.
"How many Southeast Asian teams are on the grid? That is a victory," Fernandes said.
"The Malaysians will be hoping we'll beat Virgin and Hispania, that's a realistic target. The realism is there, the pride is there, I feel it very strongly. Don't expect much, but be proud of the fact we're there.
"The targets for the boys are finish all the races, be the best of the new teams. The eventual target is to be up there with Ferrari and McLaren. So we're keeping one eye open toward reaching the top."
However Fernandes knows that victory is a long way beyond Lotus' reach at this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix.
After the first two races of the season, Lotus has achieved its goal of being the best of the three new teams for 2010, outperforming Virgin and Hispania. However its performance is still a long way off the top constructors, and Fernandes feels driven to change the way his team is regarded by the top end of pitlane.
"No one takes us too seriously at the moment so we are fairly welcome," Fernandes said. "There is a bit of snobbery as well, that these guys are four seconds off the pace or whatever. Its funny, people have short memories. Everyone had a beginning, no one walked in and became world champions.
"It motivates me. That is one of the weaknesses of the human spirit, to not give people a chance. I have faced it all my life with Air Asia. We've always been the underdogs, but we've built up and earned respect."
Fernandes is not concerned that enthusiasm for the team may wane in Malaysia as fans' patience is tested.
"How many Southeast Asian teams are on the grid? That is a victory," Fernandes said.
"The Malaysians will be hoping we'll beat Virgin and Hispania, that's a realistic target. The realism is there, the pride is there, I feel it very strongly. Don't expect much, but be proud of the fact we're there.
"The targets for the boys are finish all the races, be the best of the new teams. The eventual target is to be up there with Ferrari and McLaren. So we're keeping one eye open toward reaching the top."
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