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F1: Team Lotus to reveal the 'TL11' before Valencia test

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Khatir Soltani
From GMM

Team Lotus has finally confirmed reports that its 2011 car will be ready for the first test of the pre-season at Valencia.

However, it had been reported that the car - to be called TL11 - would make its track debut on 1 February.

In fact, Heikki Kovalainen will give the car its maiden outing on 2 February -- the second day of the opening group test.

The team explained that it has "opted to take advantage of the 2011 rules and not run on 1 February, replacing that date with a private test day and on-track filming on Friday 4 February".

An online launch event will take place at 5am GMT - the middle of the day in team boss Tony Fernandes' native Malaysia - on Monday 31 January.

And after Kovalainen's first test day on Wednesday, teammate Jarno Trulli will be driving on Thursday.

"We tossed a coin and I won," revealed Finn Kovalainen on Twitter.

Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
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