Lotus Motorsport division turned at Le Mans paddock with a brand-new LMP1 car that is ready for action, but is not going to get any. The Lotus LMP P1/01 was unveiled at Le Mans Innovation Centre a bit too late and therefore it is not allowed to race at the big event this weekend.

The delays, according to Lotus, were due to an unavoidable change in engine supplier. Even though they are allowed to race, Lotus wanted to show up at Le Mans and show off their new LMP car. It was also a moral boost for the teams, especially the drivers, who have nothing to do until the 6 Hours of the Circuit of the Americas Grand Prix later in the year.

Lotus LMP P1/01 is an advanced LMP1 car, but falls short of the main competition as it is not a hybrid. It has a twin-turbo V6 engine mounted in the middle of a carbon monocoque chassis which is the main reason the whole thing weighs no more than 850 kg. The car features a classic Lotus black and gold livery.

Lotus LMP pilot and former Formula 1 driver Christijan Albers said: “The P1/01 has awesome potential and I can’t wait to see what the it can do. For sure, it’s strange to be here and not race but the team is definitely remaining positive about the rest of the season, anything can happen in this sport.”