Lotus set to gain sponsor, keep Cosworth for 2011

The logo of team boss Tony Fernandes’ AirAsia airline could finally be added to the 2010 Lotus car.

Until now, Fernandes has been content to advertise only his investment firm Tune Group on the green T127, due to an existing sponsorship arrangement between AirAsia and Williams.

But Malaysia’s Star newspaper claims that an announcement about AirAsia joining Lotus as a sponsor “is expected to be made” at Silverstone this weekend.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian news agency Bernama reports that Lotus will continue to use Cosworth engines next year, amid rumours the team could switch to Renault power.

According to the report, Fernandes said the independent British supplier’s product has been “competitive enough” in 2010, even though the team “received offers from several (other) companies”.

© RIF|GMM