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Team Lotus confident after Monday court decision

Preparations are continuing as normal at Team Lotus © Getty Images

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Team Lotus is remaining bullish about its chances of coming out on top in its naming dispute with Group Lotus, after a High Court judge brought forward the date of the full trial.

On Monday Group Lotus' application for a summary judgement was denied and, with the judge keen to get the case resolved as soon as possible, a March 21 court date was set for a full trial. Although both teams will now start the season using the Lotus name, the court date is much earlier than previously expected and if Team Lotus loses it might be forced to rebrand itself mid-season.

However, a statement late on Monday night said Team Lotus is continuing with its preparations for the upcoming season as planned and is confident it will win the trial.

"Team Lotus is delighted that we were successful at the summary judgment application hearing today and that the judge threw out Group Lotus' application even before hearing the arguments of the barristers on either side," read the statement.

"Although this decision was never in doubt, it means that we start the 2011 season under the Team Lotus name. Whilst we expected that the judge would refuse this application, it is good to have the decision in black and white.

"The judge also felt that it was in everyone's best interests to bring the hearing date for the full trial forward and that is now fixed for March 21 rather than us having to wait until Autumn 2011 or even later. We remain confident that we will succeed at the full trial and we can now focus on the challenges ahead in the 2011 FIA Formula One world championship."

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