Trulli, Kovalainen to drive for Lotus

Formula One news. The experienced duo of Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen will drive for the Lotus Racing Team in Kuala Lumpur when the Malaysian-backed team returns to Formula One next season.

Formula One drivers Italy's Jarno Trulli, second right, Finland's  Heikki Kovalainen, left, and Malaysia's Fairuz Fauzy, right, are  pictured with Lotus F1 racing team principal Tony Fernandes at a  press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009.  Trulli, Kovalainen and Fauzy will race for Lotus when the  Malaysian-backed Formula One team returns to the starting grid next  season.(AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Team Lotus is making a comeback to Formula One with the backing of the Malaysian government as well as the AirAsia mogul Tony Fernandes. Kovalainen was replaced by world champion Jenson Button at McLaren. He says he signed up as he believes Lotus has the potential to win.

Heikki Kovalainen says, "I'm very excited. Of course, you know...at the beginning it wasn't an easy decision because there are other established teams. And it was only when I met Tony (Fernandes) and Mike Gascoyne personally...they explained to me how Lotus and how Malaysia are planning to go motor racing. And that's when I became very interested."