Is trouble brewing for Lotus in Formula 1
Lotus on the brink or is it all hot air?
Lotus are looking to the High Courts for legal proof they can use the ‘Team Lotus’ name after Proton sought to block them.
The disagreement arose after Lotus boss Tony Fernandes announced on twitter that they had bought the rights to use the famous name. Proton, the Malaysian owner of the Lotus Group, released an attacking statement on Monday saying “Group Lotus is the owner of all rights in the ‘Lotus’ automotive brand including those relating to Formula 1” and warning it is prepared to take whatever steps are required to prevent the Lotus name being used next season.”
CEO of the team Riad Asmat answered the statement quickly saying that they had gone to the High Court to receive confirmation they have permission to use the name.
Proton allowed the Formula One team to use the Lotus Racing name after striking a deal that will finish at the end of the season. Fernandes bought the right to the name for next year from David Hunt, the brother of 1976 champion James. As Hunt never raced under the name Proton say they still own all rights.
Deputy Sports and Youth Minister of Malaysia Datuk Razali Ibrahim believes that giving the team a new name will not reflect a Malaysian identity. He spoke to reporters at the airport while waving of the commonwealth games athletes “The action of Tony will certainly raise a number of issues and disappointment among various authorities. This will be about a team that may continue to forget the Malaysian interest and identity.”
Lotus was originally created in Norfolk in 1952 by University College of London Engineering graduate Colin Chapman. It entered Formula One six years later winner their first Grand Prix in 1960 at Monaco with Stirling Moss at the helm. In 1996 Proton bought a majority share in the company on the stock market.
It seems like a case the unstoppable force and the immovable object and it looks likely that the rights issue will not be solved until the off-season.
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Last Comment Posted »
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 30th September 2010
In a bid to alleviate the public confusion surrounding the ongoing matter between Lotus Racing and...
by Jimmy@enterF1
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Recent comments on this article:
#1 Jimmy@enterF1 | 29 Sep 2010, 00:09 Reply »
Half of me thinks worrying times, the other half thinks it's sour grapes from Proton - which you do think it is?
#2 Jimmy@enterF1 | 29 Sep 2010, 08:29 Reply »
Straight from a press release this morning:
"In a strong statement of intent about the aspirations of Lotus Racing, soon to become Team Lotus, an announcement has been made today that Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne has signed a five year deal, tying him to the Anglo / Malaysian squad until at least 2015. "
They believe 100% they are to be Team Lotus next year.
#3 Joey | 29 Sep 2010, 09:39 Reply »
I think it's sour grapes from proton they don't want anyone else stealing their glory with the name. i don't understand tho if their not going to use it let somebody else. lotus have done a good job this year and proton should be proud they want to use the name.
#4 Barry | 29 Sep 2010, 11:39 Reply »
Group Lotus have also come out with a program to build an LMP2 racer to assult Le Mans in 2012, as well as GT2 and GT3 programs for the new Evora. Also ties in Indycar, GP2 and GP3 means their motorsport involvement is ever increasing. Remember this is the Proton side of Lotus, not big Tone's Lotus Racing. The War is on!!!!!!!!
#5 MartyP | 29 Sep 2010, 14:20 Reply »
Tony Fernandes made an interesting point that 'Team Lotus' would actually be giving the 'Group Lotus' brand heaps of free advertising by being in F1, so why would they fight against that!
#6 Jimmy@enterF1 | 29 Sep 2010, 15:15 Reply »
yeah great points Barry, it does genuinely look like they believe it be a conflict of interest on their part
i never knew it was a one year deal to be Lotus Racing, so they must have been horrified when Tony's group seemingly get an upgrade and get the full on Team Lotus brand for next year!
expect this to get messy
#7 Jimmy@enterF1 | 30 Sep 2010, 13:21 Reply »
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 30th September 2010
In a bid to alleviate the public confusion surrounding the ongoing matter between Lotus Racing and Proton / Group Lotus, Lotus Racing shareholder and Deputy Team Principal Dato' Kamarudin Meranun recently had the opportunity to meet Proton Adviser Tun Dr Mahathir. The meeting was to discuss the matter in person and agree a future course of action for Lotus Racing.
Lotus Racing believes it is acting within its own rights, and as a result of this meeting, the team will now refrain from making any further comments on the matter. This action is upon advice from Tun Dr Mahathir, and it is out of our respect for him that we will act upon his wishes as he has supported us since our inception, and his backing has been invaluable in our growth.
We are very grateful for having had the opportunity to put forth our case and have complete trust that a fair review will be made, and a decision on the matter will be announced in due course.
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