Lotus Racing has today announced that the Hingham-based team has agreed a deal with Red Bull Technology for the supply of gearboxes and hydraulic systems from the 2011 season and beyond.

'The gearbox / hydraulics package obviously plays a critical role in the performance of the car, not just on track but in design and packaging terms, and this deal gives our design and aero teams a very exciting platform to work with.

'The removal of the double diffusers in 2011 will allow the whole grid to tighten up the rear bodywork and mechanical structures around the gearbox, and this supply deal will allow us to capitalise on that with our 2011 car. Exciting times lie ahead.'

Lotus is also expected to announce a new deal to use Renault engines from next season, resulting in Lotus using the same engine/gearbox combination as Red Bull Racing.

'It is a real statement of our intention to challenge for Formula One honours as soon as we can that we have reached this agreement and we are very excited about integrating the package into our 2011 car,' added Lotus Racing team principal Tony Fernandes.

'I think people in and out of the sport are going to be following our progress even more closely now we have taken this incredibly important and ambitious step, and it makes next year even more exciting. The Lotus Racing dream grows bigger every day.'