F1: Team Lotus returns
Team Lotus, the team that won countless titles and races with the likes of Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Mario Andretti will return to the F1 grid next year. Lotus racing boss, Tony , has come to the agreement with David Hunt, brother of 1976 World Champion James, to purchase the rights to the Team Lotus name.
Team Lotus and Group Lotus went their separate ways long ago. While Lotus Cars evolved into Group Lotus till Proton bought them in the 90s, Team Lotus has remained independent. After the F1 team folded in the 90’s Team Lotus has remained dormant, until this year.
The formula 1 team, currently are racing with the Lotus Racing name with permission from Group Lotus/Proton. With Group Lotus’ own racing plans to kick off soon, with the Evora GT4/Cup programme, GP2/3 and IndyCar, the separation will avoid future confusion.
In 2011 both Lotus Racing and Tony Fernandez’ owned Team Air Asia will go head to head in GP2. Lotus Racing and current GP2 team ART Grand Prix have combined their efforts and will participate in both GP2 and GP3 next year.
With the return of Team Lotus, the F1 team can ditch the awful looking triangular “Lotus Racing” logo for the proper “ACBC” Team Lotus roundell.
