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.