By Sarah Holt

Fauzy completed a number of laps in the new Lotus 2010 car

The historic Lotus name returned to the track for the first time in 16 years as the new Lotus F1 team completed a private test at Silverstone on Tuesday.

Lotus F1's reserve driver Fairuz Fauzy completed a few laps at the Stowe circuit before the car heads to next week's third winter test in Spain.

Technical chief Mike Gascoyne told BBC Sport: "It was a big moment to see the car turn a wheel for the first time.

"We had no major issues or anything that gives us concern for the future."

The Lotus marque has been absent from F1 since 1994 and the new Malaysian-funded incarnation of the team only registered for this season in September.

Despite their late entry on the 2010 grid, Gascoyne is pleased with the team's rapid progress.

Lotus F1 will join the majority of F1's teams in Jerez next week for the third of four winter tests, while fellow newcomers US F1 and Campos Meta 1 have yet to fire up their cars.

The fourth new entry, Virgin Racing, will join the main protagonists for the second testing session which begins on Wednesday.

"To have done everything from scratch to a running car in 21 weeks is a fantastic achievement," added Gascoyne, who can list Renault, Jordan and Toyota among his previous employers.

"It was a brief shakedown as we didn't get some of the last parts from our suppliers until 6am on Tuesday morning, but that was to be expected given the timescales.

"We only got to the track at lunchtime but it went pretty well. We were able to do a few laps, which was perfect and great reward for everyone for all the effort they've put in.

"The Stowe circuit is not much bigger than a go-kart track and on a cold February afternoon when it's snowing intermittently you are never going to learn much about the handling of the car.

"But we got a good number of laps on it and we did all the systems checks so we can run in anger in Jerez."

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Lotus won seven constructors' crowns and powered six drivers' champions, including Jim Clark and Graham Hill, during their golden era in the 1960s and '70s.

Gascoyne, who has race-winners Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen in his driver line-up, has already said he is determined that the new-look Lotus team will be the best of 2010's new entrants.

"The car and colour scheme looked fantastic," added Gascoyne. "With the history and the Lotus name, it was a very special day for everyone."

Lotus will officially launch their car in London on Friday.

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