Lotus insists Brazilian GP participation not in doubt despite garage lockdown Lotus insists Brazilian GP participation not in doubt despite garage lockdown Lotus insists its participation in the Brazilian Grand Prix is not in doubt, despite security staff blocking access to its garage at Interlagos on Wednesday. Team personnel were not allowed to unpack the team's freight or continue work on preparing the cars, by officers who were stationed at the front and rear of the garages. Images of the security staff were widely distributed on social media, but suggestions that team equipment had been confiscated were wide of the mark. A team spokesman confirmed that the team was dealing with the situation which related to an unspecified 'commercial arrangement' and there was no reason to suggest the team would not be ready for track action on Friday. Tight finances Lotus has faced a number of financial difficulties this season, as the team battled to keep its head above water amid ongoing negotiations with Renault about a takeover. In Hungary, the team was late in getting hold of its tyres following delays in a payment to supplier Pirelli. In Belgium, the team's trucks were impounded following a legal dispute with former test driver Charles Pic, while in Japan Lotus was locked out of its hospitality unit because of unpaid bills. Discussions with Renault are ongoing and the team remains hopeful that a deal for the French car manufacturer to resurrect its work outfit will be completed soon.
It looks like the deal netween Genii and Renault for the transfer of the team ownership will not happen before the end of the F1 season. Renault wants Genii to face all its creditors first and pay the bills before taking ownership of the outfit. Smart move it seems !!
+1 No hospitality in Japan. Charles Pic (who!?) gets 'em locked out. Pirelli won't supply 'em tires until the bills get paid. One of the "grandee" teams hasn't got a pot to piss in. Their "leaders" walk out. (Quit?) A mess indeed. However, having said all that, seems to me F1's always been thus - Outside the front runners, most of them live pretty much "hand-to-mouth" year on year. Nothing new here. Cheers, Ian
Charles Pic, ex-Caterham I think, brought sponsorship money to Genii in exchange for a drive. They took the money, and never gave him the drive!! (same story at Sauber with Van de garde). Aren't you confusing with Manor, where the 2 team principals have walked away? Yes it's a mess, but that's F1.
The longer Renault waits the less Lotus is worth. Pretty soon Genii will be paying Renault to take Lotus off their hands.
None of us have a crystal ball, but all of the questions about why Grosjean would walk away from Lotus for a complete unknown in Haas, especially when the Renault White Knight was about to save the day... Can't say I blame Grosjean for making the decision he did, when he did. And it seems more and more like he made the right one.
And, that he is THE Frenchman in F1 makes it look even more iffy that Renault is really the White Knight.
I'm pretty disgusted that if Renault are to get involved with this team, why take so long to do it, it's like they are trying to put the team completely on its ass, and take away all of their confidence and moral, prior to doing so. I know they have to do their due diligence, but once they have a contract, drawn up by their myriad of lawyers, just get on with it. How can they imagine in their wildest dreams that the team members facing this sort of embarassment, and the fans being let down and ridiculed, will want to work with them in a positive way when the deal is finally done. They should either get on with it, announce and pay, or let them get on with fighting for their place in f1. It can't be helping the team being in limbo for so long
I think that Renault is very astute in waiting. The longer they wait, the less Genni has bargaining power. Frankly, Renault should wait that Lotus goes bankrupt, and deal with the receivers instead of Genii. The team would then be sold for a song. Personally, I think that Renault should get out of F1 altogether, but that's another story...
+1 > > > continued IMO it's to do with Lopez and Lux. I don't think they've ever done a straight forward deal, everything they get involved with either doesn't happen or goes completely to ****. Also the noise they make about deals, or having paid employees, or drivers, or whatever...and then days/weeks later it turns out none of it was true. It all seemed so nice back in 2012, the car was pretty damn good, plenty of podiums. Genii/Lux/Lopez are snakes I'd never consider doing business with. I wouldn't sleep well.
They only do enough everytime to pacify the creditors for another week, another month, before they are bought off. Lopez and Lux look for a buyer, they don't want to invest in the business anymore.
This sounds at least a little promising going forward; seems Bernie at least believes they'll be back, most likely under Renault name.... From Autosport of course. Cheers, Ian
It would be funny is Carlos Gohsn pulled the plug at the last minute and announced "We are out of F1 for good" I cannot wait for that day ...
Autosport reporting its a done deal; Renault completes takeover of Lotus F1 team - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com Although I wish Haas well, I suspect Lettuce may have jumped at precisely the wrong moment......
Perhaps...but I think in his position I would have done the same! Don't trust anyone of the top brass in the lotus outfit, a sinking ship hemorrhaging money and was uncertain to make many races this year, who said many times that Renault is ''a done deal'' (and how many announcements did they make over the years that never came true? Exactly...). I may have made fun of Haas, but I actually think that they'll be fairly decent next year. 2016 Ferrari engine and suspension, so chassis wise they can only do ''so much''. They've got Dallara doing their chassis, so all that needs doing is aero package. I don't expect that to be the greatest at all, but I doubt they've hired any of the NHRA boys and equip the car with a parachute instead of DRS wing! IMO they stand a good chance of being a regular contenter for points. (but I also said that Honda would make a good engine for this year).
It could go either way for Grosjean. We'll see in a few months. I wonder if Haas is a stepping stone into Ferrari for him. What do you think? All the best, Andrew.
"This is why we watch." As always, I may be wrong (!), but I don't see him at Ferrari; OK, we know they like 'experienced' jockeys, but with all due respect while 'good' he's another journeyman IMO. No way is he the future of Ferrari IMO. Cheers, Ian
+1 Though whoever will replace Kimi in 2017 (?) is going to be tough. Verstappens problem is Hamilton AND Vettel...both not really keen to have someone join them who has a point to prove still. In that case...Grosjean could have a chance as a Ferrari #2. Though I much rather see Bottas or Perez there...
I dunno; after a strong start, Bottles has been something of a disappointment to me this year. A 'solid' #2 to Seb isn't what he's looking for either IMO - Although, a healthy Ferrari sized paycheck could change that opinion I guess...... Perez? Maybe. Danny Fiat also seems to be maturing and keeping his nose clean too; he did pretty well this year - He beat his highly regarded 'mate after all. (The same guy many here suggested should be the next Ferrari driver of course! )
Love Kvyat. Can't believe I didn't think of him! Kaspersky is Russian. Perhaps they want to be a more prominent sponsor in 2017
