Just to make it clear, the High Court judge did not hand over a positive response to either of the two parties – Group Lotus or Tony Fernandes' Team Lotus. What he did was reject a bid for a summary judgement issued by Group Lotus. If he had accepted it, then the case wouldn't have proceeded to a full trial.
This being said, the judge pushed for a quick resolution of the matter, announcing a March trial date at the end of which he will make a final decision. And, as Team Lotus, Group Lotus are just as hopeful the High Court will rule in their favor.
“Group Lotus and Proton are delighted with the outcome of yesterday's hearing in which the Judge ordered a full trial of this matter to be heard as soon as possible given the proximity of the start of the new 2011 Formula 1 season in a few weeks. The trial has been fixed at the English High Court for 21 March 2011,” said a statement from Group Lotus.
“Group Lotus and Proton have been made aware of the press release issued by 1Malaysia Racing Team (1MRT), it is completely incorrect and a misrepresentation of the Judge's decision suggesting that Group Lotus' application was "thrown out",” added the statement, referring to the comment made by Team Lotus in their own statement, according to which “the Judge threw out Group Lotus' application even before hearing the arguments.”
“We therefore welcome this decision and look forward to the full trial. We are confident that at the trial Group Lotus will succeed in preventing 1MRT, Mr Fernandes and his companies, from using the Lotus name in Formula 1 once and for all.”
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