Team Lotus to reveal new car before Valencia test

Team Lotus has finally confirmed reports that its 2011 car will be ready for the first test of the pre-season at Valencia.

However, it had been reported that the car – to be called TL11 – would make its track debut on 1 February.

In fact, Heikki Kovalainen will give the car its maiden outing on 2 February — the second day of the opening group test.

The team explained that it has “opted to take advantage of the 2011 rules and not run on 1 February, replacing that date with a private test day and on-track filming on Friday 4 February”.

An online launch event will take place at 5am GMT – the middle of the day in team boss Tony Fernandes’ native Malaysia – on Monday 31 January.

And after Kovalainen’s first test day on Wednesday, teammate Jarno Trulli will be driving on Thursday.

“We tossed a coin and I won,” revealed Finn Kovalainen on Twitter.

© RIF | GMM