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Team Lotus Should Keep Name in F1 - autoevolution Poll

Not a lot has been written about the naming saga in Formula 1 between Team Lotus and Lotus Group. Since the English High Court in London has already announced that a definitive decision on the legal battle between the two organizations will be announced on March 21, the world of F1 can only sit and wait.

Basically, the outcome of the March 21 hearing could lead to F1 having two teams wearing the same name – Lotus – while also enjoying the same official colors and engine supply.

So we asked our readers to share their view on the matter through our poll section on the autoevolution website. Interestingly enough, the results were quite close, with the small majority of our readers suggesting that Team Lotus – currently ran by Tony Fernandes – should keep the rights to use the Lotus name in the series.

The “Tony Fernandes purchased the rights to use the name "Lotus", he should get to enjoy it” option was ticked by 37 percent of the respondents, while 27 percent of them argued that it should be “natural for Group Lotus to be able to use the name in their F1 operation.” Finally 35 percent of the poll participants would be happy to see both teams using the “Lotus” name.

Late last year, after the 2010 Formula 1 season had ended and Group Lotus had terminated his team's license, Tony Fernandes purchased the commercial rights of the Lotus name in F1 from David Hunt (former owner of Team Lotus Ventures Ltd).

A few weeks later, Group Lotus itself decided to return to Formula 1 racing as an official backer of Genii Capital-controlled Renault F1, leading to a name change for the Enstone based team from Renault F1 to Lotus Renault GP. Ever since, the two organizations have been fighting in court or in the media to become sole owners of the legal rights to using the Lotus name.

In early February, Fernandes told the media that Group Lotus had offered him to settle the case, but the proposal from the British group “would have bankrupted” his company. At the time, it was presumed that Lotus' offer was around EUR10 million.

In late January, the London High Court has rejected Group Lotus bid for a summary judgement and ruled that a definitive decision would be reached by March 21. A few days later, it was Group Lotus' turn to fight back in the public eye, with mother company Proton revealing that Fernandes is now asking between 22 million (US$35m) and 37 million ($60m) pounds to settle.

One thing is sure though: we'll have the court decision by season start. Since the Bahrain Grand Prix has been canceled due to political unrest in the country in recent days, it means the 2011 F1 season will kick off two weeks later, between March 25-27, in Australia.

For our next poll, we shall invite you to offer us your view on what the upcoming i8 green "go-fast" machine from BMW should offer. You can choose one of the four available options available on the left side of our website.
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