Lotus to be saved from receivership by Renault

I am not sure Bahar ever intended to "sponsor" the Genii (ex-Renault, ex-Benetton, ex-Toleman) team.

I understand that Bahar licensed the Lotus name, logo and colour scheme to different outfits for them to attract sponsors. Colin Kolles in Germany was allowed to call his LMP2 Lotus. Genii baptised their F1 team Lotus, and there is even a Kodewa motorcycle called ... Lotus.
Most of these agreements became void after Bahar departed ... Lotus.

 

perhaps kimi will finally get paid

 

I think Colin aka Chunky would just be happy that his legacy lives on in some form or fashion in F1 the sport he loved so much, I know I am. The only thing I request is that the black and gold is always used.

 

And don't forget the Tony Fernandes Caterham / Lotus experiment.

The Colin Chapman Lotus left F1 for good a long time ago.

 

The black and gold of John Player Special? Or the red white and gold of Gold Leaf. Gold Leaf is perhaps more significant as it marked the entrance of major sponsorship into F1. Mr. Chapman breaking ground once again.

If we're talking Lotus colors, I would argue that there is only green and yellow, and then there are the sponsor liveries.

 

Was there another black and gold Lotus that I do not know about other than the JPS?

 

Just saying that the black and gold livery is not "Lotus" to me. It is JPS. Just like the red white and gold is Gold Leaf, not Lotus.

Lotus is green with yellow stripe.

 

OK.

 

Agreed - BRG with a bold yellow trim. Remember Team Lotus back in 2012 with a throwback scheme. We had two Lotus teams that year. then they went to Caterham...

 

I wonder what color combo the team will run next year?

 

There is zero of Colin Chapman and HIS Lotus F1 team in the Team Enstone Dany Bahar Proton marketing exercise. Absolutely no legacy in any form of classic Team Lotus associated with current "Lotus", aside from embarrassment. Chapman would probably be outraged over that team using his company's name. It's been a sham perpetrated by Bahar, and Genii.

I'll be thrilled when they change the name back to Lotus, and let the venerable name disappear in peace. Hopefully, in a few years, when people talk about Lotus it will be with respect of the original Lotus, not this sham of the last 6 years.

 

Alonso back too?

 

Not yet.......

 

Renault and Ilmor increase their working relationship in Formula 1
By Lawrence Barretto Friday, December 4th 2015, 11:18 GMT


Renault and Ilmor increase their working relationship in Formula 1 - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com


Renault and Ilmor will increase the level of their working relationship from the 2016 Formula 1 season onwards.

The two companies have worked together this season in a bid to help Renault close the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari but each piece of work has been handled on a one-off basis.

Following the news Renault will make Lotus its works team and continue to supply Red Bull with engines, albeit it branded as TAG Heuer units, it has now emerged Renault will strengthen its ties with Ilmor.

It is understood Ilmor will be a contractor to Renault Sport F1, aiding development of the power unit and have a more structured and consistent involvement with the project.

Ilmor, like other contractors AVL, Mecachrome and Magneti Marelli, will work directly for and under Renault.

 

BUT...

Carlos Goshn has hinted this morning at:

"possible changes in the driver's line-up; you will learn more in the first days of January".

Should we open the thread "Alonso back at Renault" already, Ha!

Rgds

 

That wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.

 

+1 and it would be something a major player like Renault IS, to do! Things are about to get very interesting for Maldo. He is no longer needed nor are his Petro cash. I would not at all be surprised to see 2 new drivers at Renault.

 

Draw your own conclusions, friends!

Here are the man's words, as told in the french press this morning, and translated by yours truly:

« Enfin, un chamboulement dans le duo prévu pour 2016 (Maldonado - Palmer) n’est pas à exclure ! Lorsqu’on lui demande si un pilote français est prévu, Ghosn répond :
"Il faut attendre quelques semaines. Je vous donne rendez-vous en janvier 2016. On vous expliquera l’organisation, les objectifs, les pilotes, la stratégie, les partenaires." »

« And a complete shake-up in the driver’s duo scheduled for 2016 (Maldonado – Palmer) is not to be excluded! When asked if there is a perspective for a french driver, Ghosn answers:
“You will have to wait a few weeks. I give you “rendez-vous” in January 2016; you will then be explained the organization, the objectives, the drivers, the strategy, the partnerships”

Rgds

 

I wish I was a billionaire. I'd bring lotus back to its Chapman days.

 

Somebody could have at least the decency to buy the rights to the name and protect if from being used so uselessly and without purpose.
I seem to recall that the three sons of Jack Brabham are very protective of the "Brabham" name, and I am very pleased with this.

Rgds

 

Duh!

 

Totally agree, Lotus and previously Caterham and Spyker have no business being in F1.

Victimized by megalomaniac thinking leading to a financial desaster for all three of them.

 

Yes - saw the same thing. Ghosn basically said that it was a decision to either leave completely or double down in F-1 - to get more marketing exposure for RENAULT. I would not at all be suprised if they poach Alonso ... and ditch Palmer. Maldonado would be hard becuase of all the PDVSA $$$$$ but if RENAULT has a TOTAL or ELF connection then they would be out.

I am suprised that they dont go with RENAULT - NISSAN so that it resonated in both Europe and North America. Sadly Renault has not been in the USA for a long time.

As for color schemes - Lotus is dead... Long live the memory of ACB Chapman... I would love the name of MATRA to be reentered into F-1 since Renault owns what is left of Matra - Rene Bonnet motors. not sure if they own the Aerospace MATRA .... Love a Matra Renault!

 

+1

Except, it obviously wouldn't have that *unbelievable* scream of the Matra 12...... What a noise that was! Still gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.

"You tell the young people of today that, they won't believe you!"

 

They now make electric bycicles and scooters under the name of Matra Manufacturing & Services.

Matra, véhicules électriques

Maybe Matra can share their knowledge of electric motors with Renault to make a better, more powerfull and more reliable Renault power unit