Lotus Hints at F1 Team Takeover in the Future

Group Lotus became a major equity partner in the newly formed Lotus Renault F1 Team yesterday, after purchasing 50 percent of the Genii Capital-controlled organization. However, maybe with the same level of importance came the information according to which the partnership between the two parties was signed until 2017.

Considering the fact that Group Lotus chose to be involved in the series for such a long term, it's quite easy to assume that the British sports car maker plans to increase its share in the team, in order to gain full control over the Enstone operations. And Lotus CEO Dany Bahar gave an important hint in that direction during an exclusive interview with British magazine Autosport.

“Our way of doing things means that at the end of the project we would like to control it ourselves,” Bahar admitted.

“It's the same route – it starts somewhere and then you slowly take control. We would not be in for the long-term just to be a sponsor on the team.”

Curiously enough, when Genii Capital bought the majority stake in Renault F1 Team a year back, the Luxembourg based company had the same long-time plan in F1. The tough economic times have taken its toll in F1 apparently, and team owner Gerard Lopez obviously needed such a partnership to continue his company's involvement in the series.

Bahar gave further assurances that Group Lotus did not return to F1 racing blindfolded, but after evaluating every prospect and securing the necessary financial backing for such a project.

“We would not commit without backing from shareholders, banks and investors. If we didn't it would be foolish to come up with ambitious plans like this,” concluded the Lotus representative.