I guess all these rumours about Lowe, Brawn, Allison... are like chain reactions... most likely they did talk to other teams but how soon the move can happen is another story... if we started to see them on garden leaves maybe we can be sure.
Lotus has signed a multi-year agreement with motorsport apparel and footwear company Alpinestars. The deal will see the Italian company provide team members plus drivers Kimi Räikkönen and Romain Grosjean with a range of racing products.
"Alpinestars is an internationally recognised and respected brand so it's fantastic to agree a partnership," said Lotus Team Principal Eric Boullier. "The support and proactive approach that Alpinestars brings will benefit the team in many ways."
Lotus will launch its new car, the E21, at its Enstone factory on Monday 28 January.
The world’s premier performance motorsport apparel and footwear company extends its involvement in Formula 1 by signing a multi-year partnership agreement with Lotus F1 Team
Alpinestars will provide performance racing products and high-level technical support for two of Formula 1’s most exciting drivers; 2007 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen and rising star Romain Grosjean.
Lotus F1 Team’s test and reserve drivers – as well as the team’s mechanics and technical staff – will also benefit from Alpinestars technical expertise and support; both on track at Grands Prix and at Alpinestars’ product development facilities in Northern Italy and California.
Eric Boullier, Team Principal, Lotus F1 Team: “Alpinestars is an internationally recognized and respected brand so it’s fantastic for the team to agree a partnership. The support and proactive approach that Alpinestars brings will benefit the team in many ways. I’m looking forward to seeing our drivers in their ultra-lightweight, safe and stylish new race attire alongside the ultra-lightweight, safe and stylish E21.”
About Alpinestars
Alpinestars’ race suits, gloves, shoes and technical under-layers are constructed from ultra-lightweight, cutting-edge materials, offering anatomically optimized fit with class-leading safety and protection. Designed to give a vital competitive advantage by reducing the extremes of physical stress and fatigue associated with competing in Formula 1, Alpinestars products incorporate the latest technological developments in the pursuit of championship-winning performance.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, having been established in 1963, Alpinestars has extensive R&D facilities in Europe and the USA delivering innovative products that offer world-class safety, performance and comfort. Once proven on track the technology is put into commercial production, giving Alpinestars customers access to the same products and performance benefits as the world’s top racers.
Having built its reputation in world championship motorcycle racing, Alpinestars’ involvement in auto racing began in the early 1990s and has expanded to include every major automotive racing series around the globe, from Formula 1 to NASCAR.
Beyond its technical racing apparel and footwear, Alpinestars also offers complete street fashion clothing collections, bringing an iconic brand steeped in motorsport heritage to the mainstream.
so Kimi can finally wear the suit with the right label too h" title="hih" />
ZitatAllison is said to be in negotiations with 3 teams including Mercedes where he would be on the list of candidates if Lowe refuses. A Lotus person in charge tells us on request: "Lauda calls Allison every day, but the contract of James is bullet proof. And he doesn't want to leave."
Zitat von miezicathttp://www.speedweek.de/art_32214.html
ZitatAllison is said to be in negotiations with 3 teams including Mercedes where he would be on the list of candidates if Lowe refuses. A Lotus person in charge tells us on request: "Lauda calls Allison every day, but the contract of James is bullet proof. And he doesn't want to leave."
That is interesting and it makes sense that other teams would want to recruit Allison. Especially Mercedes as they want to recruit the whole paddock. Speedweek has been very reliable so far, they must have a good contact within Lotus. So I hope they are right about Allison not wanting to leave Lotus. Moving to Mercedes cant be a good move for any designer who wants to move forward in any case, there are already to many cooks in the kitchen there, Allison would have much more control at a place like Lotus. Lets hope Allison stays with Lotus.
If I remember right, Kimi wore suits from Alpinestars during his rallye years? I´ve read somewhere that he wanted to have this suits also last year at Lotus. Did he wear OMP or was it Alpinestars with the brand of OMP? Wasn´t it the same at his Ferrari years?
Zitat von f194girlIf I remember right, Kimi wore suits from Alpinestars during his rallye years? I´ve read somewhere that he wanted to have this suits also last year at Lotus. Did he wear OMP or was it Alpinestars with the brand of OMP? Wasn´t it the same at his Ferrari years?
yes you're right, Kimi had Alpinestars suit at Ferrari with Puma label and at Lotus with OMP label
Zitat von Boudica
Zitat von miezicathttp://www.speedweek.de/art_32214.html
ZitatAllison is said to be in negotiations with 3 teams including Mercedes where he would be on the list of candidates if Lowe refuses. A Lotus person in charge tells us on request: "Lauda calls Allison every day, but the contract of James is bullet proof. And he doesn't want to leave."
That is interesting and it makes sense that other teams would want to recruit Allison. Especially Mercedes as they want to recruit the whole paddock. Speedweek has been very reliable so far, they must have a good contact within Lotus. So I hope they are right about Allison not wanting to leave Lotus. Moving to Mercedes cant be a good move for any designer who wants to move forward in any case, there are already to many cooks in the kitchen there, Allison would have much more control at a place like Lotus. Lets hope Allison stays with Lotus.
of course, Allison would be big loss for Lotus. Mercedes looks a bit desperate with trying to get more and more people.. I also don't think Allison would want to go to Mercedes. " title="holy" /> generally now isn't the best time for engineers to change teams with possible gardening leave and the regulation changes for 2014.