Kobayashi link an ‘honour’ – Lotus chief

Jacques Villeneuve has admitted he is “flattered” by his talks with Lotus about the 2010 season, but insists no deal with the new Malaysian team has been done. The 1997 world champion, as well as BMW-Sauber tester Christian Klien, met with Lotus’ Mike Gascoyne in Abu Dhabi earlier this month.

Lotus is close to agreeing a deal with Jarno Trulli for next season, and Gascoyne has been quoted as saying he wants to appoint another experienced driver to occupy the second seat.

“It’s very flattering to know that he said publicly that we have spoken,” Villeneuve, who has been out of F1 since losing his BMW drive in mid-2006, told France’s Rue Frontenac.

“The discussions are still only preliminary,” the 38-year-old French Canadian added, “and we’re not yet at the stage to talk about the details of a possible association.”

Gascoyne has said Lotus wants to name its 2010 lineup by the end of November.

Kobayashi link an ‘honour’ – Lotus chief

A Lotus team official has given no indication as to whether there is substance to reports linking Kamui Kobayashi with a 2010 race seat.

Jarno Trulli, Jacques Villeneuve and Christian Klien have already been linked with the new Malaysian-owned outfit, and after Toyota’s departure from F1, the 23-year-old Japanese Kobayashi named Lotus as his preferred plan-B for next year.

Kobayashi impressed while deputising for the injured Timo Glock in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, and had Toyota stayed in F1 he would almost certainly have secured a full time seat.

Lotus F1 chief executive Riad Asmat said he was happy Lotus is considered a strong option by drivers.

“It is quite an honour for us to be seen as such and for drivers such as Kobayashi wanting to be part of the team.  This means they see us as a serious team even though we’re new,” he told the New Straits Times.

source: GMM