Lotus eyes Pic solution as bailiffs arrive

Pic is seeking redress for what he claims was a breach of contract in not getting mileage that was promised to him as part of a test drive deal he had with the Enstone-based team last year.

The situation moved up a gear at Spa-Francorchamps when Pic obtained an order that allowed bailiffs to impound the team's equipment – preventing the outfit from removing the cars.

Monday solution

Lotus deputy team principal Federico Gastaldi left the track immediately after the race to travel back to the factory to try to work on finding a solution.

It is hoped that when offices and banks open on Monday morning, the right arrangements can be made to appease Pic.

Once that is done, the bailiffs' order can be removed and the team will be allowed to take the cars back to its Enstone factory.

"We're very much focused on getting everything resolved," Gastaldi told Motorsport.com.

"Obviously this occurring over a weekend ‎ has ‎presented a challenge, but once we're back to the normal working week we can get back to focusing our attention to the type of fabulous on track performances that we saw today."

Speaking to Sky after the race, trackside operations director Alan Permane added: “This is the worst season we've had financially.

“We've scrimped and scraped for parts and to get the cars on the track is a massive effort each week. So to be able to stick it on the podium is unbelievable.

"He added: "I have heard [the cars] will be impounded but I'm sure it will be sorted out early next week and we can go to Monza and get on with things.”

Podium joy

Despite the off-track troubles for the team, it delivered its best result of the season with a brilliant third place finish for Romain Grosjean.

The Franco-Swiss driver was well aware of the significance of the result, and did not want to waste much time worrying about the money troubles.

“I think engineers, driver, mechanics, we are focusing more on the racing side and I’m probably not aware of everything going around but I didn’t want to neither,” said Grosjean.

“I’m here to race as hard as I can, to give it 100 per cent all of the time. I think driving around Spa, every time you go through Eau Rouge and Pouhon, it’s a special feeling and I think you just enjoy it.

"I don’t really care about what’s going around. The only thing I want is to do my best to give the guys who are really working hard a good reward.”