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Naming dispute cost us sponsors - Fernandes

Tony Fernandes: "We'll fight our corner. I think we've proven that" © Sutton Images

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Tony Fernandes has admitted the Lotus naming dispute cost his team sponsors heading into its second year in Formula One.

Team Lotus is currently in court fighting road car manufacturer Group Lotus over the use of the iconic name in Formula One. The case was preceded by a very public slanging match between the two sides, which Fernandes believes has put potential investors off.

In an interview with his team's in house e-magazine, Team Lotus Notes, Fernandes was asked if his outfit was looking to build up a broad sponsorship portfolio similar to the likes of Sauber. "Yes," he responded. "The only blip in that is this court case, which has probably put some sponsors off. The thing is that people just don't know who's right and who's wrong, it's confusing for people. But it's changing. I think many people now realise that it doesn't matter what our name is, you're investing in the people and the attitude. Sponsors who realise that will like us."

He added: "We'll fight our corner. I think we've proven that. We've taken on a Malaysian Government-linked company, we've taken on Group Lotus and we've taken on Force India. We won't give in but we'll do it in a proper way."

Ahead of the start of the season Lotus' chief operating officer Keith Saunt said the team was looking to score 30-40 points in 2011 and finish in the top eight. But Fernandes admits the team's real aspirations have always been a little lower.

"My target for this year was always 10th," he said. "Of course, I put a target on the boys to go for eighth. Is there a chance of being eighth? Yes, I think so. But the great thing is, this time, you can see what needs to be done. The drivers are much happier and you're not battling … well, we do have some radiator issues right now, which might last two or three races, but we're not battling any really troubling leaks or hydraulics problems. So there is a chance we will be eighth but I think realistically we can be 10th again and I'm happy with that."

He admitted that Lotus "knows its place" in F1 and has to be realistic with its ambitions due to the the calibre of the opposition.

"You can't build a Formula One team in 18 months," he added. "The team that we are trying to pick off is Force India. They are Jordan. They've been around for 20 years. You've got Williams, who I watched as a kid. Toro Rosso has the advantage of Red Bull around them. Sauber have been around for many years. They've got fantastic facilities built for them by BMW. We have to think of things in that kind of perspective."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.