Lotus F1 Teams Up With Batman Film

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The Lotus Formula 1 team announced today they will be working with Warner Bros Pictures to promote the Dark Knight Rises, the latest Batman film from Christopher Nolan.  The hype preceding the film's release next week in the UK is likely to gain the team some additional fans this week for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The Lotus F1 team garage, helmets, and overalls will be featuring livery from the film, and a special photoshoot and press event with the film's famous vehicles, the Tumbler and Bat-Pod, will happen tomorrow on the track.  Eric Boullier, Team Principle at Lotus F1 has the following to share about the partnership:

“This season we have been the dark horses in the championship fight, so this partnership with The Dark Knight Rises is a fantastic match. Our car, the E20, looks superb with the Batman branding and we are looking forward to seeing the reaction of our numerous fans when it takes to the Silverstone circuit this weekend. We are certainly hoping for an epic conclusion for The Dark Knight Rises E20 in the Grand Prix.”

Some might see this partnership as a little odd, but it's not the first time that Formula 1 and the movie industry has partnered up.  Taking the win for my favorite pit crew uniforms ever, is the Red Bull + Star Wars promo for the 2005 Monaco GP.  Teaming up for the star studded event was a perfect combo for both the young F1 team and George Lucas' film empire (no pun intended). 

The Red Bull pit crew in Star Wars uniforms at the 2005 Monaco GP; Image from GizMag.com

If the photos of storm troopers in the pits didn't impress you, or even the Darth Vader as the "lollypop man," it was the whole cast and crew at the private party that made you laugh quite a bit and shake off a bit of jealously that you weren't there drinking martinis with George Lucas, David Coulthard, and Chewbacca.

This partnership announcement from Lotus is a postivie step for them as the anticipation about the film is growing tremendously, the most recent trailer has 20 million views already, and will garner them some more press coverage for this weekend's British GP. 

Race Review: Monaco Grand Prix

Tag Heuer grid girls atmosphere. Monaco Street Circuit 26/05/12. ©2012 WRI2. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: www.wri2.net

Beautiful location, Check. Royalties, Check. Challenging street circuit, check. The Monaco Grand Prix is like no other Grand Prix. Drivers who have won here show an extra twinkle in their eyes when they recall their win. The prestige of winning here is priceless.

Much of that, surely, is due to the mental and physical demands of racing at top speeds for 78 laps, where smallest of errors through the narrow streets can bring the race to an abrupt end; another part is that legends are made on this track. Ayrton Senna won 6 times at this track. Schumacher 5 times. All the championship top contenders for this season have won once or twice around this track before.

This year is no different. One particular contender, Mark Webber, often overlooked and over-shadowed by double World Champion teammate, came out a-blazing and took home the Gold medal. Vindication through victory has never been sweeter. It was as if stars were aligned for Webber to win at Monaco.

First, Schumacher lost the all-important pole position after qualifying due to a 5-place grid drop penalty, resulted from running into Bruno Senna in the last race. It must have been bittersweet for Schumacher to come so close to leading the race to fighting all the way, and ultimately out of the race due to car troubles. The luck continued for Webber when Vettel qualified 9th. With a pole position at hand on a track where it's nearly impossible to overtake, raindrops that teased but never came until after the race, Webber sealed the win with a spectacular well-deserved drive. He also won the Best Post-race Five o'clock shadow in my books. Rosberg still won Best Post-race hair though, someone please find out what shampoo he uses!

I didn't see too much of the grid girls on the race coverage, but the few shots I saw left me wondering where is the glamour and classy factor in the outfit. An upside-down triangle cutout near the bosoms in a white top over black shorts? I didn’t know what to expect but I certainly expected more from Monaco! Well, hopefully the grid girls outfit will improve in the Canadian Grand Prix on weekend of 6/8!