CNN International to sponsor Lotus F1 team

CNN International has stepped in to sponsor Lotus F1 in a long-term deal, the new Malaysian-backed Formula One team have announced. The agreement will see the news network's logo on the race cars, drivers' overalls and all team clothing from the upcoming season. The Lotus team principal Tony Fernandes told Reuters the deal was a "sign of the positive impact we have already made in the global business market that such a prestigious brand ... has made the decision to partner with us". The team's chief technical officer, Mike Gascoyne, said yesterday that he is encouraged by the testing Lotus have done so far. "In general we've had very good reliability, and the team is in very good shape going to the first race [in Bahrain on 13 March 13]," he said. "Everyone has worked exceptionally hard over the two tests and we now have to work on the pace of the car and improve that. But it's been a tremendous effort from the whole team and I'm very proud of them."