Kimi and Romain at Proton’s Headquarters

Source: lotusf1team.com

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As part of an extensive promotional campaign held over the past fortnight, Proton invited the Lotus F1 Team drivers to its Centre of Excellence to meet with local media and members of Lotus Cars Club of Malaysia.

To kick off a hectic schedule of media events over the course of the day, Kimi and Romain made an appearance at the headquarters of Malaysian automotive giant Proton this morning.

The day began with a slight mix up over transportation, as the car intended for Romain arrived bang on time to collect the Frenchman, only to discover that he was in fact at a different hotel! Nonetheless after a rapid change of course (whilst obviously adhering strictly to local speed restrictions) Romain was soon on his way.

Thankfully Kimi did not suffer from the same issue, and shortly afterwards both drivers met with Proton representatives to collect their rides for the day – a pair of immaculate Evoras sporting the Lotus F1 Team livery and driver decals on the bodywork. Perhaps not the most subtle way to make an entrance, but certainly one of the more enjoyable!

Upon arrival the pair were whisked away to the top floor of the impressive structure, where they fielded questions from local media both in a formal press conference format, and then in the more informal setting of a buffet lunch, where guests were granted a more personal level of access to the drivers.

After a mouth-watering (if slightly early!) meal and a few photographs later, Kimi and Romain were lead down to the ground floor where a crowd had gathered not only around two more glistening Evoras, but also a Lotus F1 Team showcar.

Moving up to a stage positioned opposite this impressive backdrop of automotive ingenuity, the drivers took part in a Q&A session with members of Lotus Cars Club of Malaysia. After the excitable driving enthusiasts had finished quizzing the pair, an autograph session followed with both stars signing cards, books, clothing, helmets… you name it, they probably scrawled their signature on it!

The event concluded with the drivers playing their part in an auction, as each signed the dashboard of one of the Evoras on display – both of which will later be sold to the highest bidder to raise money for a good cause.

Having flown through their first commitment of the day it was time for Kimi and Romain to head to the track, where the world’s media were waiting to catch a few words in the build-up to free practice 1 and 2 tomorrow at the Sepang International Circuit.