Mark Smith has already set his sights improving Lotus' grid position after starting work with the team on Monday.
F1 outfit finally welcome new technical director
Mark Smith has already set his sights on improving Lotus' grid position after finally starting work with the Formula One team on Monday.
The new technical director has been forced to wait 11 months for his contract with the Force India team to run out since agreeing to join Lotus in June last year.
He arrived on Monday at the team's UK headquarters at Hingham, Norfolk where he will work under Lotus' chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne.
In his role Smith will help continue the development of the T128 and begin work on the 2012 car.
"I am very excited about the challenge that lies ahead with Team Lotus," said Smith, who has also worked for Jordan, Renault and Red Bull.
Passionate
"Throughout my career I have had some interesting spells with a number of F1 teams including Jordan, Renault, Red Bull Racing and Force India and I have enjoyed the experience of winning races wherever I have been.
"However, I have never been involved in a championship win with any of those teams and I see that as one of my key goals with Team Lotus."
Lotus team principal Tony Fernandes added: "Mark joins a group of extremely talented, passionate and hard working people at Team Lotus who have already enjoyed a number of significant achievements in a short period of time.
"His input will immediately help us take our challenge to the next level this year, in 2012 and beyond."
