Currently reading: Lotus to buy into F1 team
Lotus Cars will by into F1 squad eventaually, says racing boss

Lotus Cars is expected to buy in to the Lotus F1 team in the near future.

Tony Fernandes, the 45-year-old Malaysian entrepreneur and AirAsia chief who has set up the revamped F1 team, currently uses the Lotus name under license from Proton, the owners of the British sports car maker Lotus Cars.

"Over time that relationship will grow," Fernandes said. "Lotus will probably buy into the team at some stage. More and more technology from our side will flow into Lotus cars and we will promote the Lotus brand.

"I see it in time being no different from how Ferrari works."

The original Lotus team was founded by Colin Chapman in 1958 and won seven constructors' and six drivers' world championships. It last raced in 1994.

"I don't think we can claim any of the heritage," said Fernandes, "but we are very clear about making sure we don't destroy any of the prestige.

"It's phenomenal history, a phenomenal brand. We can't claim it, but we will work with it, we'll celebrate it and we'll honour it."

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TegTypeR 14 December 2009

Re: Lotus to buy into F1 team

Strange way of doing things!?

At least if Lotus Cars does have some in put, it will stop the media constantly harping on about the fact there isn't a link. From a martketing point of view at least, this will be a positive.

Richard H 14 December 2009

Re: Lotus to buy into F1 team

They'll only invest if they are any good