Foreword...

A question has been asked…  Why is Lotus backing Jean Alesi’s entry in the Indianapolis 500?  Apart from the fact that the Indianapolis 500 is the world’s greatest sporting event, which would make his participation in the race a very natural extension of Jean’s brilliant career as a Grand Prix winner and extraordinarily popular Formula One personality, Jean is a brand ambassador for Lotus and has headed up driver development on the company’s T125 single-seater project.  Though Jean was in semi-retirement (a racer of his caliber is never truly retired anyway), the Indianapolis 500 represented a particularly exciting new challenge, and the event has been on his radar screen since Lotus first announced its participation in the IndyCar series and its return to the Indianapolis 500, where it occupies a storied place in the annals of the Brickyard. 

More questions…  Will it be difficult?  Will Jean be able to adapt?  Well, of course.  Any adaptation is difficult.  However, for a driver of his incredible natural skill, as evidenced by a resume that more than speaks for itself, even the hint of an insinuation that the task is beyond him is ridiculous.  Yes, to this point Jean has never driven an IndyCar.  Yes, he has never raced on an oval.  On the other hand, Jean has spent many hours in Dallara’s state-of-the-art simulator, where he has been honing his technique, coming to terms with a variety of set-ups, driving in a variety of conditions, and doing all that he can to prepare himself for the task that lay before him.  If you were to see him on his bike and in the gym, you would see the world’s youngest 47-year-old, as he not only pushes friends such as Michael Schumacher, but also men half his age.  Regardless, Jean will find out where things stand when he hits the racetrack for his rookie test.

Lotus Fan Force United…  This team boasts some fairly stellar personnel.  The four co-owners of the team (Tyce Carlson, Chris Williams, Scott Williamson, and Jason Peters) have assembled an operation that includes Tim Wardrop (multiple Indy 500 wins as both an engineer and a designer, as well as being the engineer for Arie Luyendyk when he recorded the fastest laps in the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway), Ted Bitting (Indianapolis 500 winning team manager), Owen Snyder (multiple Indianapolis 500 wins as a chief mechanic/engineer), and Greg Beck (former car chief turned respected team owner).  Though Jean may be a rookie, the cumulative experience and success of the team that stands behind him should certainly vest him with a tremendous amount of confidence as he embarks on this journey.  

Of course, we must discuss the fact that Jean comes to Indianapolis with the backing of his personal sponsor, FP Journe, a Swiss watchmaker (more than watches really…  works of art would be a better term).  FP Journe has been hugely instrumental in creating this opportunity, and the Lotus Fan Force United team is more than proud to fly the FP Journe banner and to share a dream with this prestigious brand.

Finally, the big question…  What are the expectations for Jean’s race.  Well, naturally, they are reasonable.  This being Jean’s first ever race on an oval, the first Indianapolis 500 for Lotus Fan Force United as a team (though as has been pointed out, those that make up the team are well-stocked with Indianapolis 500 experience), and the first time that Lotus has brought its own engine to the Brickyard (though it has had its place in Indianapolis 500 lore forever cemented by the revolutionary racing machines and champions that it has brought to Indianapolis – having won the race in 1965, as the first mid-engined car to do so), the expectations are realistic.  While we believe that victory for Lotus in 2012 is a little way off as they continue to develop their powerplant, the goal of race-by-race improvement has been met and is expected to continue this month in Indianapolis.  Jean intends to have a hand in that improvement, and to spend every possible minute working with his team to make the most of this opportunity.   

Like us at www.facebook.com/fanforceunited