Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

The Formula One racing team Lotus has returned to the track for the first time in 16 years to test the car it intends to race in this year's championship.

Test driver Fairuz Fauzy (pron: Fye-riz Fow-zy) took the yellow and green machine through its paces at Silverstone before the car is officially unveiled in London this weekend.

Owned by a Malaysian consortium Lotus will enter the third official Formula One test session in Spain next week.

Lotus is one of four new teams to enter Formula One this season including Mercedes, but the other new comers Campos and U.S.F.1. are in danger of not being ready for the season opener in Bahrain on March 14.