F1 world still busy on winter Sunday

(GMM) The next pieces are set to fall into place as a busy period in the world of formula one continues.

With four 2012 cars now launched, the next one – Lotus' new E20 car – will head the headlines on Sunday afternoon when it is unveiled online from the former Renault team's Enstone base.

At the same time, F1 teams – including Lotus – are busily setting up at Jerez for the first group test of the pre-season.

"No snow here," Lotus said from Spain ahead of the week's action.

That is a reference to the winter weather mayhem in Europe, with London's Heathrow airport currently snowed under.

"Hoping to beat the snow and get to Jerez. On train to Gatwick. Fingers crossed," said Reuters correspondent Alan Baldwin.

On Monday, Red Bull's title-defending RB8 will be revealed, while young McLaren tester Oliver Turvey has been busy elsewhere in Spain giving the new MP4-27 a straight-line rollout.

"Thoroughly enjoyed every moment!" he confirmed.

"It ran well but hard to know how good the performance will be until we get on track next week in Jerez," added Turvey.

Lotus F1 Team says that this year's Formula 1 challenger will be named the E20, with a new nomenclature commencing to commemorate the twentieth chassis designed at the team's base in Enstone, Oxfordshire.