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    Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8991990.stm

    The Lotus Formula 1 outfit will take on their historic name, Team Lotus, next year, BBC Sport has learned.

    Team principal Tony Fernandes has bought the naming and heritage rights to Team Lotus and will enter and race the cars under that name in 2011.

    Team Lotus were a leading force in F1 in the 1960s and 1970s and are one of the most successful teams in history.

    They fell out of F1 in 1994 with financial problems but Lotus re-entered F1 this year under Malaysian ownership.

    Fernandes has been keen to stress the links between his new team and the historic Lotus, which was founded by Colin Chapman and won a series of six drivers' titles and seven constructors' championships through the 1960s and '70s.

    The rights to the Team Lotus name were bought by businessman David Hunt - brother of 1976 F1 world champion James Hunt - following the outfit's collapse in 1994.

    Fernandes, 46, has now bought the rights from Hunt and will enter his team, backed by a consortium of Malaysian businessmen, under that name next year.

    The cars will sport the famous Team Lotus badge, bearing Chapman's initials, ACBC (for Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman).

    The heritage rights include ownership of all the historic Lotus F1 cars. These are currently licenced to Chapman's son Colin, who has been supportive of Lotus's new iteration.

    There are no direct links between the Lotus F1 team and the Lotus Cars company, which is owned by Malaysian company Proton. 


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    Re: Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

     As it should be 


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    Re: Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

    TEAM LOTUS IS BACK!

    Singapore - 24th September 2010

    Lotus Racing has today confirmed that the team will be known as Team Lotus from 2011. The migration from Lotus Racing to Team Lotus will take place over the coming months and the renamed team will be the direct successor to the iconic previous incarnation of Team Lotus when they take to the track in the 2011 FIA Formula One™ World Championship and beyond. Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meranun’s Tune Group has acquired Team Lotus Ventures Ltd, the company led by David Hunt since Team Lotus was last on track, and through that agreement now has full ownership of the historic rights and goodwill of the Team Lotus brand and heritage.

    Tony Fernandes, Lotus Racing Team Principal, is delighted that the hard work that has been going on behind the scenes to make this acquisition can now be announced, saying: “Kamarudin, Nasa and I are absolutely delighted to have completed this transaction - It’s difficult to express just what it means to us to now be able to say we are Team Lotus, one of the most iconic names in any form of sport worldwide, but we have been working very hard to make this dream come true, and today it has. My thanks go to David for looking after the Team Lotus brand so well over the period of his stewardship, and keeping the integrity of Team Lotus together. We are very excited about now taking over the brand and after our first year in Formula One™, we believe we are ready to do justice to the legacy we have inherited. These are heady days for Team Lotus, and it will be a very exciting process for the team we have in place to help us achieve our goals, on and off track.

    “It was always important to us that Lotus Racing and Team Lotus could be brought together to unite the past and the present, and now we have done so. We have enjoyed a successful first year as Lotus Racing, and our thanks go to Proton, Group Lotus and all our partners for the parts they have played in our year as Lotus Racing. But now we move on to a new chapter, and as Team Lotus we will be an even more potent force, both on and off track. Everyone associated with the team is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead – even more so now we will be bringing back one of the most loved, revered and respected names in motor racing history. A new dream starts today – Team Lotus is back.”

    David Hunt, who has overseen the negotiations with Tony and his team, has been Managing Director of Team Lotus since 1994. He revealed his feelings about returning Britain’s greatest motor racing name to Formula 1™, saying: “I’m delighted this day has finally arrived. In January 1995, when I had the simply awful task of making the loyal Team Lotus personnel redundant, I promised them, the fans and the media that somehow we would return Team Lotus to F1™ in good order and properly funded. We had no idea of the huge difficulties we would have to overcome when I made that statement.

    “Nevertheless, I simply would not allow the legacy of Colin Chapman’s extraordinary achievements to die and I want publicly to thank the many loyal individuals who have worked to reach what sometimes seemed an impossible goal. The custodianship of the iconic brand and history now passes from me to Tony, Kamarudin and Nasa. In relinquishing this responsibility I am confident I am handing over to a team who have the financial resources, passion, energy, vision and long-term commitment to give Team Lotus the best possible chance of returning to the sharp end of the grid. I look forward to assisting the team towards scoring Team Lotus’ 80th Grand Prix win – that will be the day when all the effort of the past 15 years will finally seem worthwhile.”


    Ends


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    Re: Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

    I'm really impressed by Tony Fernandes. He has given so much respect to Colin Chapman, his family, the Lotus philosophy and Lotus team history. It really feels like there is a living connection between the current team and the team of the past. He has genuine passion and respect and it shows in all the decisions he makes.
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    RT Moderator 
    - 997.1 Carrera S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen collection

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    Re: Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

     Go Lotus Team !! I'm very happy to see that they went back to the traditional name and that they are sticking around for 2011. I support this team a lot and hope they have a great season next year.


    Re: Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

     


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    Re: Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

     Wow they have a plane? and a rather new one at that, look at the wing tips.


    Re: Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

    Enmanuel,

    Fernandes is the founder of AirAsia. The airplane has been repainted recently in Lotus Racing livery. Smiley

    AirAsia-9M-AFY-Airbus-A320-216-Aircraft_10044338.jpg

    58465_1284222063.JPG


    Re: Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

    Compare the rear vertical stabilizer wing in both photos. They've been quick in repainting the logo 


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    Re: Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

    Ferdie:

    Enmanuel,

    Fernandes is the founder of AirAsia. The airplane has been repainted recently in Lotus Racing livery. Smiley

     

    58465_1284222063.JPG

     I really like the lotus livery,, the plane looks amazing and the logo is great.


    Re: Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

     Hopefully it won't catch on fire like the Lotus F1 cars do... 


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    FERRARI RULES!!!

    Re: Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

       http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/87038


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    Re: Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

    I was under the impression that the Exos T125 was more or less a spin-off from this year´s F1 programme. If the reported clash between Proton and Lotus Racing is correct than it will probably have its origin somewhere else?

    Other than that, from all brands available why did Fernandes choose the Lotus name in the first place?


    Re: Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

    just received this email from Lotus: 

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    PROTON’S CLARIFICATION ON THE PURCHASE OF “LOTUS” BRAND BY TONY FERNANDES

    Kuala Lumpur, 27 September 2010 – There is and always has been only one Lotus, the Lotus started by Colin Chapman. From the beginning Lotus made road cars and raced racing cars. Until 1994, Group Lotus, the road car manufacturer and Team Lotus, which operated the Formula 1 team, were in common ownership with common directors. In 1994, Team Lotus failed and Lotus has not raced since. Since 1994, David Hunt has claimed to have acquired assets of Team Lotus, including its name, from the liquidator. He has never raced as Lotus. Mr. Hunt’s attempt to acquire the name Team Lotus was ineffective. Group Lotus is the owner of all rights in the "Lotus" automotive brand including those relating to Formula 1.

    Last year, Tony Fernandes and 1 Malaysia Racing Team recognised this by taking a licence from Group Lotus to use the "Lotus" brand for the "Lotus Racing" team in the current Formula 1 season. With PROTON’s agreement, Group Lotus has now terminated its licence to 1 Malaysia Racing Team to use the "Lotus Racing" brand in the 2011 and future Formula 1 seasons as a result of the flagrant and persistent breaches of the licence by 1 Malaysia Racing Team, which were damaging to the "Lotus" brand.

    Following that termination, neither 1 Malaysia Racing Team, nor any other company associated with Mr. Fernandes such as Tune Group Sdn Bhd or Team Lotus Ventures Limited, has the authority of Group Lotus to use any "Lotus" brand in the 2011 Formula 1 season. This includes the use of the brand "Team Lotus".

    Group Lotus understands that Mr. Fernandes intends to rebrand the current "Lotus Racing" Formula 1 team to "Team Lotus" for the 2011 Formula 1 season. Mr. Fernandes indicates that Tune Group has acquired the rights to the name "Team Lotus" from a business formerly owned by David Hunt called Team Lotus Ventures Limited. Group Lotus believes these rights to have no proper legal foundation, a fact of which Mr. Fernandes was well aware when his company purchased them.

    PROTON will support Group Lotus in taking all necessary steps to protect its rights in the "Lotus" name, including resisting any attempts by Mr. Fernandes or his companies, or any other unauthorised person, to use the "Lotus" name in the 2011 Formula 1 season.

    Dato’ Sri Mohd. Nadzmi Mohd. Salleh, Chairman of PROTON Holdings Berhad and Group Lotus commented, "We believe the Lotus brand to be one of the most valuable brands in Formula 1 today. We are the owners of this brand, and will take all necessary steps to protect it. Tony Fernandes has no rights to use the Lotus brand in the 2011 Formula 1 season, and we will strongly resist any attempts by him to use our brand without our permission and will withdraw our sponsorship of the Lotus Racing team."

    “To put it simply, Group Lotus is everything Lotus. The fact that 1 Malaysia Racing Team entered into an agreement with Group Lotus to use the brand means that both Mr. Fernandes and 1 Malaysia Racing Team recognises and acknowledges Group Lotus’ rights,” he added.

    About PROTON

    PROTON, established in 1983, is Malaysia's largest manufacturer of automobiles, and the only full-fledged OEM car manufacturer in South-East Asia. With operations in key markets from UK to the Middle East, and across South-East Asia and Australasia, especially in countries like China and Iran, PROTON produces cars to suit a range of consumer demands and preferences.

    Its offerings include versatile and reliable four-door family vehicles, two-door hatchbacks for the young-at-heart, luxurious and stylish executive sedans, spacious and affordable multi-purpose vehicles, as well as the world-renowned sports cars from Lotus. Most importantly, PROTON models are now developed with Lotus Engineering, offering customers superior ride and handling experience in every drive.

    PROTON’s inception as a key driver of national development has seen the brand accelerate its learning curve through technology transfer with strategic partnerships and technical collaborations. By listening to the needs of customers, PROTON cars are now steadily on track to achieve the mission for the future, with PROTON set to become a marque which builds cars with passion and soul; cars that are a delight to drive - and a pleasure to own.

    About Lotus

    Group Lotus is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PROTON Holdings Berhad. The main operating subsidiary of Group Lotus plc is Lotus Cars Limited, which has two operating divisions - Lotus Engineering and Lotus Cars. Lotus Engineering is an internationally recognised automotive engineering consultancy based in Norfolk, UK. Global facilities include those in Michigan (USA), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), China and offices in Germany.

    Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive and versatile consultancy services to many of the world's OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, offering a full engineering service from initial concept and project design through development and integration of the complete vehicle to meet all worldwide markets and customers to full production. This includes third party 'niche vehicle' engineering and manufacture worldwide.

    Lotus Cars builds world class, prestige, high performance sports cars for sale in 37 countries. These include the iconic Lotus Elise, and the Exige and Europa. Lotus’ latest model, the Lotus Evora, goes on sale from Spring 2009. Lotus is a global high-tech company, expanding rapidly and committed to driving forward technology for both Lotus Cars and its Engineering clients, spearheading research into such areas as hybrids, electric cars and renewable fuels.

    === END ==


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    Re: Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

    Do they think for one minute how they are damaging the Lotus brand with their behavior?

    We predicted exactly that here at Rennteam. Back then we said that Lotus won't complain as long as the Malaysian team does well. Here we are: Their F1 cars burst into flames, and Group Lotus backs off. What.A.Shame. 


    Re: Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

    Eunice:

    Their F1 cars burst into flames, and Group Lotus backs off. What.A.Shame. 

     To be fair, they keep up with the finest Lotus tradition! http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/09/the_point_of_no_confidence_is.php

    Smiley


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    FERRARI RULES!!!


    Re: Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

    I really like Lotus but the row between Tony Fernandes's 'Team Lotus' and Proton's 'Group Lotus' is turning ugly.

    http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2010/09/analysis-power-struggle-behind-the-scenes-at-lotus/

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9038091.stm

    Very sad


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    RT Moderator 
    - 997.1 Carrera S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen collection

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    Re: Lotus revive original team name for 2011 season

     Yes, it's a real shame. I don't understand Dany Bahar.

    Here's an interesting article Explaining the Lotus position

    http://bbs.hellof1.com/1566891-1.html


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