LOTUS TYPE 125 GETS FIRST TEST RUN

The Lotus 125 hyper track car (which Lotus is now calling and 'F1-inspired customer race car') underwent its first official test run at Vallelunga this week. At the hands of Jean Alesi and Lotus factory test driver James Rossiter the car completed 200 kilometres during the two-day test.

"We're very happy with the initial performance of the car, there are still some things that we want to improve on but that's natural at this stage and that's exactly why we test," said Lotus's Director of Motorsport Operations, Miodrag Kotur. "Between them Jean Alesi and James Rossiter have an incredible wealth of experience and they put this to good use in Vallelunga."

"Testing is always a big challenge, it's a different kind of pressure to racing but you still can't relax for a second, said Alesi. "I enjoyed my first outing in the car, it's great to be involved at such a crucial stage in the car's development, I really feel like I can help to make this car as fun to drive as possible."

Lotus factory driver James Rossiter said: "The Type 125 is unique, it's intense, it's extreme and it's very raw. Vallelunga was great, we learned a lot about the car there and I'm really looking forward to the next test in a few days, it will be really interesting to see how the car responds to the conditions of a very different track." Next week the Type 125 will test at Yas Marina F1 circuit in Abu Dhabi, where Alesi and Rossiter will be joined by a 'yet-to-be-announced' celebrity test driver and 15 potential buyers, who will also get their chance behind the wheel.