Pic admits Lotus 'did not respect the contract'

  • Published on 22 Aug 2015 09:06
  • comments 0
  • By: Johan van den Beld

Yet another cloud has formed above the troubled Lotus team's garage. The story began to emerge on Friday, when the Enstone team broke the personnel curfew at Spa-Francorchamps. A clear breach of the rules, Lotus asked the FIA for dispensation.

"Due to extraneous circumstances," a stewards report explained, "after the covers had been placed on the cars, three team members had to remain in the garage in order to comply with the requirements related to these circumstances". What actually transpired is that bailiffs had entered the circuit and threatened to seize the black and gold cars, due to court action brought by disgruntled former reserve driver Charles Pic.

Team deputy Federico Gastaldi has said Pic, who brought sponsorship to the team last year, is claiming he was not given all of his promised driving days. "They did not respect the contract," Pic is quoted as confirming by France's L'Equipe. "It is not just the driving days, but also aspects that I prefer not to go into."

The report said that court proceedings have now begun, and if a resolution is not found by Sunday, the bailiffs could seize the Lotus cars after the Belgian grand prix. It is just the latest sign of terminal financial strife for troubled Lotus, amid suggestions its only solution now is to rapidly agree a buyout deal with Renault.

Interestingly, the team is no longer insisting that it is categorically not for sale. "I'm not sure that I actually told you that," said technical boss Nick Chester on Friday, "but there's a lot of press about discussions that are ongoing." (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 05:47

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 05:47

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar