Lotus row ends as F1 approves name changes
Fernandes' team to be called Caterham
Geneva: The long-running, and extremely confusing, row over the Lotus name in Formula One has finally ended after the F1 Commission approved three name change requests at a meeting in Geneva.
Renault will next season be known as Lotus, Team Lotus will become Caterham and Virgin Racing are to become Marussia.
The changes still need be approved by the World Motor Sport Council, which convenes on December 7, but are unlikely to meet with any resistance. There will be relief in the sport that the bewildering state of affairs as regards the Lotus marque — with both Team Lotus and Lotus Renault claiming it — has been resolved.
The dispute stretches back over two years, to when Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes entered a team called Lotus Racing under licence from British carmaker Group Lotus. Fernandes will now launch Caterham cars predominantly at the Asian market using the F1 team to push the brand.
— The Telegraph Group Limited, London 2011
