Team Lotus, the Norfolk-based Formula 1 team, has announced a deal with Williams F1 to use one of the Oxfordshire team's two wind tunnels from September 2011.
The deal allows Team Lotus to run a two-tunnel aerodynamic development programme, with its existing Aerolab facility in Italy working in conjunction with the Williams F1 site in the UK.
Team Lotus announced in 2010 that it was building its own wind tunnel at its HQ in Hingham, Norfolk. When that facility is operational it will takeover all aero development work for Team Lotus.
Tony Fernandes, Team Lotus Team Principal, said the deal would increase Team Lotus's wind tunnel activity and allow use of a state of the art facility: "I am sure that will immediately help Marianne Hinson (Head of Aerodynamics and CFD) and her team to work even more effectively in one of the key areas of the ongoing development of our team," he said.
"The other side of the agreement is that I owe a great deal of thanks to Frank Williams, Patrick Head and Adam Parr as they were the first people I ever worked with in Formula 1. AirAsia was a proud sponsor of their team and Frank, Patrick and Adam played key roles in introducing me to the Formula 1 world, so I am very pleased that we are able to keep working together as Team Lotus continues to establish itself as a serious force in Formula 1," added Fernandes.
