Thursday, December 9, 2010

Both Lotus Renault GP and Team Lotus for 2011?

In order the announcement has been made that Group Lotus is officially in F1 in partnership with Genii Capital – the owner of the current Renault F1 team – beginning from the start of the 2011 season and that it will be competing under the Lotus Renault GP name.

Group Lotus’ purchase of all the remaining shares held by Renault in the team makes the former the major equity spouse though Renault remains as the engine supplier hence the retention of its name in the scheme of things.

The resulting formation of the team is no surprise but the choice of uniform colours might be – the combination of black and gold heralds back to those JPS-sponsored glory days and is an inspired choice. Only it’s identical to that selected by Lotus Racing which earlier announced that it would be competing in 2011 in black and gold.

To add to the confusion Indian lotus Racing (or Team Indian lotus if you will) is also being supplied with engines by Renault. truthful it remains possible that we could see two teams competing under the Lotus name both in the same colours with the same engine supplier the first of course dependent on how the court decides early next year.

When contacted 1Malaysia sport Team’s CEO Riad Asmat had this to say: “We will be called Team Lotus next year and we’re making great progress in the development of our car. We’re focused  on what we need to do next year. On them its truly their choice since they seem to have the means to do it – it’s a huge investment having seen things first-hand over Hera but a niggling question remains in my mind though; do we really need another Malaysian-backed team?”

Using the word “Lotus” in conjunction with “Team” on LR’s website and in marketing materials the use of the Lotus Roundel and the word “Lotus” on its own on its premises promotional materials and clothing without GL’s consent and the use of “Lotus Racing” outside the spHera of Formula 1 in British Formula 3 and Formula Renault.

And yes seeking to obtain the right to use the gens Team Lotus with the intention of using the gens in the 2011 F1 season in contravention of the ‘Lotus Racing’ licence agreement contractually is part of it too.

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