BBC sources are reporting that Lotus are close to a Renault engine deal, and that the Malaysian-backed team will not stay with current suppliers Cosworth into 2011.

Lotus have been the best new team of the season so far, and the engines are reliable and powerful enough, so it is surprising that the team are jumping to a different supplier for next season. Lotus team boss Tony Fernandes and technical director Mike Gascoyne had a meeting with Renault on Sunday morning at the British Grand Prix.

Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell are among the drivers who have previously raced Renault-powered Lotus cars in Formula 1, and a Lotus-Renault partnership was responsible for the former’s first Grand Prix win at Estoril in 1985.

Other engine suppliers are Mercedes who power their works team and has a long-term relationship with championship leaders McLaren, and Force India. Ferrari supplies its works team, Toro Rosso and Sauber.

This leaves the only other two candidates; Renault who supplies its works team and Red Bull, and Cosworth who supply the three new teams and Williams. Cosworth made an F1 return this year after 3 years out from the sport, and have provided the most reliable engines so far. Ferrari on the other hand have supplied the least reliable engine figures, as you can see below:

Engine reliability

Robert Kubica is undoubtedly a talented driver, and would certainly be winning races if he was at a better team further up the grid, but Mercedes doesn’t fall into that category. Renault and Mercedes are virtually inseperable at the moment, and I wouldn’t say that Mercedes are any further up the grid than Renault.

This means that unless Mercedes have an incredible championship-winning car planned for 2011, it wouldn’t really be worth Kubica’s while moving to the German team. I would have said that the Pole moving to Ferrari replacing Massa would be the most likely, but now that Massa has signed a contract it seems that the wisest thing for him to do is stay put.

Will Michael Schumacher stay on for 2011? I honestly don’t think so. I would like to see Mercedes replace him with Nick Heidfeld – a driver underestimated by too many people, and one of the greatest drivers never to win a Grand Prix.

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment!

Article 3.12.7 of the 2010 technical regulations states that: ”a single break in the surface is permitted solely to allow the minimum required access for the device referred to in Article 5.15. [supposed to refer to starter motor, although this is Article 5.16].”

However, the regulations do not state what the minimum required access is, meaning teams have exploited this loophole to create intricate shapes in the diffuser. This idea was pioneered by Brawn GP last year – had the FIA clamped down on this this time in 2009, would Sebastian Vettel be the reigning world champion?

The FIA have sent a note to all teams, containing strict dimensions for a maximum diameter for the holes and a maximum projected area, meaning that McLaren, Mercedes and two other teams will have to make modifications ahead of next weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

It seems that the W01 has a high, V-shaped nose similar to that seen on last year’s Red Bull, and the 2010 Ferrari F10.

Specification

Gallery

Images (C) Mercedes / LAT

Heidfeld would complete an all-German lineup at the new Mercedes team, alongside race drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg.

Motorsport-Total.com quoted Heidfeld’s manager Andre Theuerzeit as saying:

“Nick wants to concentrate fully on his job as a test driver and support the regular driver with his experience.”

Heidfeld has raced in F1 169 times starting in 2000, scoring 12 podiums but never winning a Grand Prix.

The launch will take place at the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart. The car will debut at the Valencia circuit on 1st February, at the first pre season test.

The Mercedes team will race under the Mercedes name this season after purchasing reigning world champions Brawn GP.

They also report that the returning Michael Schumacher will not drive the car until an official test on February 10 in Jerez, meaning Nico Rosberg will drive the car first.

The 60-year-old Austrian Lauda returned successfully in the 80s to win his third and last title in 1984. He said in German newspaper Bild:

“Everything depends on the car, and at the end of last season Vettel had the best one. What is for sure is that there are many more strong drivers in the field now than in Schumacher’s last years.

“There’s no question he can keep up. But I’m betting no money.”

How will Schumi fare in 2010? Vote in our poll below:

They also report Schumacher would not drive the car until an official test on February 10 in Jerez, meaning Nico Rosberg will drive the car first.

Plans for a joint car launch were scrapped because it was thought certain teams would get more coverage than others, and some teams like Lotus said that they would not have a car ready by the time of the common launch. FOTA have said they will look into the concept for 2011.

The seven times world champion, who won five of his titles at Ferrari, said in a letter circulated in the Italian media:

“For 14 years I was a part of Ferrari and for 14 years Ferrari was a part of me. A sizeable chunk of Ferrari will always stay in my heart. I will  always think of the warmth, the strength and the dedication I received for so many years from Italian Ferrari fans.

“I have felt welcomed by you, and I have tried to give you joy and passion when I fought on the tracks and rejoiced with you after victories.
“I have found many friends and learned a lot in the years I spent at Ferrari. I carefully observed the way to face things and have often underlined this attitude in Germany: no moaning but rather trying to see the beauty and the goodness in what’s unavoidable, and rejoicing.

“Now a new chapter begins for me. I will race on the track against Ferrari with the utmost respect. I’m convinced these will be hard battles. Indeed, I’m certain Ferrari will be able to show its historical strength because I know what these guys are able to do.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me. I’d be happy if, besides the two Ferrari drivers, you’d carry on giving me a bit of your unlimited liking.”

Imagine if Schumacher denies the Prancing Horse the title in 2010 – I predict fireworks.