• Lotus news

Talks ease Lotus naming rights friction

Lotus Racing intends to change its name to Team Lotus © Sutton Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News:
• Battle lines drawn in escalating Lotus row
  
• News:
• Lotus Racing ready to take naming dispute to court
  
• News:
• Proton attempting to block use of Lotus name
  
• News:
• Lotus Racing secures Team Lotus name
  

• Teams:
• Team Lotus

Lotus Racing will not issue any more press releases on the naming rights dispute with Group Lotus until a decision has been made, after high-level members of both organisations met to discuss the issue.

Group Lotus will terminate the F1 team's naming licence at the end of the season and as a result Tony Fernandes has purchased the rights to the Team Lotus name for his outfit from 2011 onwards. The news led to an escalating row between the two sides that is set to go to London's High Court.

In its latest public announcement Lotus Racing said its deputy team principal Dato' Kamarudin Meranun met with Proton adviser and ex-Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir to discuss the issue, and it would now make no further comment until the matter had been resolved.

"In a bid to alleviate the public confusion surrounding the ongoing matter between Lotus Racing and Proton / Group Lotus, Lotus Racing shareholder and Deputy Team Principal recently had the opportunity to meet Proton Adviser," the press release said. "The meeting was to discuss the matter in person and agree a future course of action for Lotus Racing.

"Lotus Racing believes it is acting within its own rights, and as a result of this meeting, the team will now refrain from making any further comments on the matter. This action is upon advice from Tun Dr Mahathir, and it is out of our respect for him that we will act upon his wishes as he has supported us since our inception, and his backing has been invaluable in our growth.

"We are very grateful for having had the opportunity to put forth our case and have complete trust that a fair review will be made, and a decision on the matter will be announced in due course."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.