Lotus chief bullish over team future

The cash-strapped Lotus team's chief executive Matthew Carter gave a bullish response on Friday to suggestions that their future is uncertain, claiming he has more than one option for future ownership plans.

Speaking at an official pre-race news conference ahead of this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, Carter made clear that Lotus are not relying on Renault to re-purchase the team and re-create it as their works outfit.

Renault, who owned the outfit from 2002 to 2011 when they twice won the world championship are currently the team's engine suppliers.

It is understood that they are set to make a final decision on buying a majority stake in the British team again.

"The negotiations are going on behind the scenes, but we have more than one option going forward to secure the future of the team," said Carter.

"And, as for as the remainder of the races this season, we have a budget and we will operate to that budget."

He confirmed that despite recent problems – including late payments to suppliers and the arrival of bailiffs to seize the team transporters after the Belgian Grand Prix – the team was certain to race in Singapore later this month.

Carter said: "We have had financial issues and the financial issues are all over the press, but we are working as hard as we can behind the scenes.

"None of them have become terminal and we are still here and still racing. We will continue to do that."

He was reluctant to expand on the talks with Renault. "Negotiations with a certain car manufacturer have been ongoing for a number of months and, as far as I am aware, we are trying to run the team with the tools we have," Carter added.
Source: AFP