Jean Alesi and Lotus

Events have forged an unexpected but welcomed link between Montegrappa and one of the greatest names in the history of Grand Prix Racing. Formula One driver Jean Alesi, Montegrappa board member and brand ambassador, is now also an official ambassador for Lotus Cars. Jean will provide his expertise in the development of Lotus’ F1-inspired Type 125 track-day car and the accompanying Exos programme.

Jean joined Lotus Cars at the Autosport International Show at the NEC on 13 January, to celebrate the unveiling of many of Lotus Cars’s racing disciplines including the preview of the new 2011 Lotus Renault GP F1 car livery. He admits that, “I’m delighted to be partnering with Lotus. I have a lot of affection for this great British brand, and I’m confident that they will achieve great things in the future both on and off the racetrack. I’m particularly passionate about anything that brings people closer to the racing action, and the Type 125 does exactly that. It’s the ultimate race experience.”

Lotus’ Type 125 track-day car is a completely new design, an exclusive, ultra-high-performance F1-like race car complete with a Cosworth 3.8-liter GP V8 engine producing 640bhp and linked to a six-speed semi-automatic Ricardo gearbox with paddle shift. It was conceived to provide customers with as close to a F1 experience as possible without the extreme technical complications of a true F1 car. But unlike an F1 car, an army of technicians and mechanics is not required to start the engine and keep the car running: the start button is all a driver needs to get going.

Its chassis is a full carbon design compliant with the latest F1 safety regs, but it is stretched to allow for larger drivers. 25 chassis are being produced, and purchasers of the Lotus Type 125 will be able to choose from a range of liveries including the Exos concept design, or as an option, their own, bespoke livery. Price of each completed vehicle is £640,000, ex-works and ex-taxes; the price includes the first year’s membership of Exos club, an exclusive private members club only for Type 125 owners. The club will run five events this year, mainly centred around the redeveloped Hethel track. The dates align with certain F1 races, to allow customers to run their cars on Saturday and go to the race on Sunday. 

Lotus will supply the technical team to run the car at Exos events, included within the price. Customers own their cars; they can store them at Lotus during 2011 or have them at their home, race team or other suitable arrangement. Owners can also use the cars between Exos events.

With Alesi’s competition pedigree, at the highest levels in motorsport, Lotus believes that he is the perfect partner for the Type 125. Jean enjoyed a successful and eventful F1 career, competing in 202 Grands Prix and collecting a total of 241 points driving for Ferrari, Tyrell, Benetton, Sauber, Prost and Jordan. He collected his one and only F1 win driving for Ferrari in the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. Jean Alesi is still regarded as one of the most popular drivers in the F1 paddock.
Jean’s “debut” with the Lotus Type 125 took place in mid-January at Autodromo di Vallelunga, with Alesi and Lotus factory driver James Rossiter successfully completing a two-day test, followed by a three-day test on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit. Jean noted that, “Testing is always a big challenge, it’s a different kind of pressure to racing but you still can’t relax for a second. I enjoyed my first outing in the car; it’s great to be involved at such a crucial stage in the cars’ development. I really feel like I can help to make this car as fun to drive as possible.”

Gino Rosato, director of corporate operations for Group Lotus, said that, “Jean has been a good friend for many years. I have had the privilege of working with him in the past and I really respect and admire the way he operates. With his F1 background, connections and contacts, I think he brings a lot to the table, and we’re really looking forward to working with him. We think he’ll make the perfect Lotus brand ambassador.”