Formula 1
Bahar thinks Lotus dispute to be solved soon
Dany Bahar is still sure the Lotus branding debacle in Formula One will not see the inside of the London High Court. After his outfit's official Lotus Racing license was revoked, Tony Fernandes bought the 'Team Lotus' name just as Group Lotus was launching plans to enter F1 in 2011. The parties failed to agree a solution, meaning that at present there will be two Renault-powered Lotus teams on the grid this year pending the outcome of a court ruling. The situation revved up over the weekend when the black and gold livery for next year's Lotus Renault GP was launched, just as Team Lotus revealed a video showing the re-branding of its Hingham factory with the famous CACB logo. "I don't think it will be a matter solved by English courts," Group Lotus chief executive Bahar told the BBC. "I think it will be solved before that. "But if we have to go the legal way, we will -- and our shareholders will support that," he added, referring to the Malaysian carmaker Proton. ...
GMM
Published: Jan 18, 2011, 11:02 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Dany Bahar is still sure the Lotus branding debacle in Formula One will not see the inside of the London High Court.
After his outfit's official Lotus Racing license was revoked, Tony Fernandes bought the 'Team Lotus' name just as Group Lotus was launching plans to enter F1 in 2011.
The parties failed to agree a solution, meaning that at present there will be two Renault-powered Lotus teams on the grid this year pending the outcome of a court ruling.
The situation revved up over the weekend when the black and gold livery for next year's Lotus Renault GP was launched, just as Team Lotus revealed a video showing the re-branding of its Hingham factory with the famous CACB logo.
"I don't think it will be a matter solved by English courts," Group Lotus chief executive Bahar told the BBC. "I think it will be solved before that.
"But if we have to go the legal way, we will -- and our shareholders will support that," he added, referring to the Malaysian carmaker Proton.
The situation was triggered by Bahar arriving at Lotus with his own plans for F1 long after the Lotus Racing naming license had been issued for Fernandes.
"When I arrived ... we had our own ideas and plans and that's nobody's fault, not the shareholders' and not Mr Fernandes' fault," he said.
"I think with any business relationship, you start on good terms and if it turns out to be beneficial for both parties, you continue.
"If not, you just stop -- it's like in a marriage. And this one turned out to be an unsuccessful relationship," explained Bahar.
The famous marque's motor sport boss Claudio Berro hinted that it will not be Group Lotus that is backing down.
"We build cars and we are shareholders of Renault F1, so we have the right to put our name on the team. Fernandes does not, because we have revoked his license," Italiaracing quoted Berro as saying.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Lotus Renault unveiled new colours at AIS
Next article Williams to use interim car at first test - report
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Team Lotus
Emerson Fittipaldi on Jochen Rindt’s death and how he became Team Lotus’ F1 leader
Formula 1
Formula 1
Emerson Fittipaldi on Jochen Rindt’s death and how he became Team Lotus’ F1 leader
On this day: Ayrton Senna beats Nigel Mansell to victory by 0.01s
Formula 1
Formula 1
On this day: Ayrton Senna beats Nigel Mansell to victory by 0.01s
Latest news
Barcelona set to host IndyCar race in 2027 under multi-year deal
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 9 h
Barcelona set to host IndyCar race in 2027 under multi-year deal
Winners and losers from a Chase-altering NASCAR Cup race at Phoenix
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
11 h
Winners and losers from a Chase-altering NASCAR Cup race at Phoenix
Heart of Racing rules Valkyrie GTP step next year ‘too soon’ for IMSA standout Barrichello
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 11 h
Heart of Racing rules Valkyrie GTP step next year ‘too soon’ for IMSA standout Barrichello
Sergio Perez: Debut Cadillac season "without a doubt one of my best years"
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
11 h
Sergio Perez: Debut Cadillac season "without a doubt one of my best years"
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe