Lotus takeover not completed before december

  • Published on 14 Oct 2015 10:25
  • comments 3
  • By: Kees Schooneman

The uncertainty about Lotus' future is likely to race on beyond the end of the 2016 season. That is the admission of the struggling Enstone team's deputy Federico Gastaldi, despite the fact that Renault's letter of intent to buy Lotus referred to "weeks" rather than months for the process to be completed.

"I'm always nervous of letters of intent in formula one," former team owner and boss Eddie Jordan said. "Because they mean absolutely nothing -- not even the paper they are written on."

It therefore becomes clearer why a top driver like Romain Grosjean, who is instead heading to the American startup Haas, would elect to leave the team rather than stake his claim on what could be a sought-after works Renault seat.

While it waits, Lotus is living hand to mouth, with Frenchman Grosjean admitting after his big Sochi crash that he hopes the team has the parts to fix the car in the two-week gap before Austin.

Even a favourite to replace Grosjean, the current Lotus reserve Jolyon Palmer, is nervous.

"I would absolutely love to confirm it (the seat) but I can't," he told the BBC. "It's no secret that I want it."

But even Palmer is wary of Renault's letter.

"If it (the Renault takeover) doesn't happen, maybe the current owners can dig deep and find something else for next year," the Briton added.

Palmer is not alone in eyeing the Grosjean vacancy, as names including Kevin Magnussen, Stoffel Vandoorne and Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne are all looking for a 2016 seat.

The Renault situation, however, is a complication.

"It is no longer a decision that we can take alone," Lotus' Gastaldi told the Danish newspaper BT.

"The entire acquisition is a long process which will probably end in December," he revealed. "I don't think any decisions will be taken before then, unless Renault management suddenly decide otherwise."

The driver question, then, is very much on the back burner.

"We were shocked that Romain decided to leave us, as he was the obvious man for the job," said Gastaldi.

"He has experience, he has been with us for years, he is French. So we were surprised when he decided to go to Haas.

"We were not preparing to have to find a new driver, and I can honestly say that at the moment we do not even have a list of potential names," he added.

Being French, Ferrari tester Vergne seems an obvious candidate, but Gastaldi insisted: "My personal opinion is that nationality is not going to play a role.

"But, again, this is something the new owners will have to evaluate."

Renault's F1 chief Cyril Abiteboul commented: "Right now we are concentrating on getting the agreement with Lotus in place."

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • denis1304

    Posts: 284

    Why would they buy Lotus if Red Bull could be for sell also?? No hurry for Renault :-)

    • + 0
    • Oct 14 2015 - 12:53
    • That is likely one reason. Red Bull already has contract on Renault engine, so no need to buy out a contract there, and they're already linked with Infiniti, a Nissan-Renault brand, and Total, an oil company with strong ties with Renault. Add the much better expected prize money and aerodynamically decent chassis, which is already designed with your own engine in mind, and you get a dream deal for Renault. Only problem is that the RB deal is not guaranteed in any way, while a Lotus deal will be, assuming Renault proceeds.

      • + 0
      • Oct 14 2015 - 18:36
    • khasmir

      Posts: 893

      Exactly ;)

      • + 0
      • Oct 14 2015 - 19:39

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

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

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country France
  • Date of b. Apr 17 1986 (39)
  • Place of b. Geneve, France
  • Weight 71 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar