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[Jensonb]

With these latest revelations; it's time for Tony Fernandes to give up on the Lotus name and rebrand as Air Asia and be done with it... this has turned into a farce; dragging a historic name through the mud for no real reason. Fernandes clearly doesn't care about the Lotus name; it's purely about commercial interests!

I'd kinda rather they both drop it. This nonsense with Renault GP pretending to be Lotus is equally, if not more, annoying.

[vlad]

Indeed! So, what's next? Third team with word "Lotus" in their name?

[geetface9]

With these latest revelations; it's time for Tony Fernandes to give up on the Lotus name and rebrand as Air Asia and be done with it... this has turned into a farce; dragging a historic name through the mud for no real reason. Fernandes clearly doesn't care about the Lotus name; it's purely about commercial interests!

I thought it was the other way around. Renault all of a sudden came in with this idea that they were the 'real' lotus after Fernandes' team had been running with the name already for half the season. So from what I'm seeing, Renault and group lotus caused all this mess for their own commercial interests. I'm a little curious how much group lotus and renault gp paid david hunt to all of a sudden change his mind about Fernandes the week of the court date.

But why should Fernandes give up on the Lotus name? He bought the rights to the name way before renault and group lotus started all this mess. I read that he hasn't finished paying for it, but frankly I don't believe that at all because that was never even raised as an issue until the week of the court date when david hunt pulled out of Fernandes' corner of the ring

[Hammer278]

With these latest revelations; it's time for Tony Fernandes to give up on the Lotus name and rebrand as Air Asia and be done with it... this has turned into a farce; dragging a historic name through the mud for no real reason. Fernandes clearly doesn't care about the Lotus name; it's purely about commercial interests!

I thought it was the other way around. Renault all of a sudden came in with this idea that they were the 'real' lotus after Fernandes' team had been running with the name already for half the season. So from what I'm seeing, Renault and group lotus caused all this mess for their own commercial interests. I'm a little curious how much group lotus and renault gp paid david hunt to all of a sudden change his mind about Fernandes the week of the court date.

But why should Fernandes give up on the Lotus name? He bought the rights to the name way before renault and group lotus started all this mess. I read that he hasn't finished paying for it, but frankly I don't believe that at all because that was never even raised as an issue until the week of the court date when david hunt pulled out of Fernandes' corner of the ring

Exactly. It's some stupid political agenda against Fernandez, he did nothing wrong. It was HIS idea and the Lotus group (owned by a bunch of fools) went "Oh yeah, why didn't we think of that!? It's not too late, let's muscle him out!". That's what this is all about.

[bschuler]

Ready to spit milk out of your nose? I saw this today watching the first Indycar race of 2011 and had to pull my jaw off the floor.. Having myself missed most of the last 2 seasons of Indycar due to channel reception issues, I'm guessing it's a new Indy racing team.



If I see one more race car with a Lotus sticker, I'll seriously consider painting my own street car green and putting a Lotus sticker on it. LOL.

[Ichabod]

Hopefully David Hunt & Tony Fernandes have solved their diffrences and can now sort this out.
I want Team Lotus Not Group Lotus Renault

Sun, 27 Mar 02:20:03 2011

Team Lotus has received a message of support from David Hunt, the man who used to own the name - just a few days after he had hit out at team principal Tony Fernandes.
Team Lotus has received a message of support from David Hunt, the man who used to own the name - just a few days after he had hit out at team principal Tony Fernandes.
Ahead of the first race for the Team Lotus moniker since the 1994 Australian Grand Prix, Hunt has now said he is fully behind the outfit.
"This is an emotional weekend for me," said Hunt, who has been in court this week for the Team Lotus v Group Lotus legal battle, in a statement released on Sunday. "The journey has been long and hard and, as many know, it's not yet quite over, which is why I've been unable to travel to Melbourne to witness the event to which I've been dedicated since 1995 when I promised the loyal Team Lotus staff and fans that we would bring it back to Formula 1.
"I therefore wish to thank the many Team Lotus fans around the world who have kept faith and encouraged me over the years, and to wish the new Team Lotus staff both in Melbourne and back in the UK, who are now charged with creating a new chapter of success in the marque's history, the very best of success for this weekend."
Hunt said that one of the key factors that had come out of the court case has been how important Colin Chapman's legacy remains.
"Sitting in a London courtroom all week listening to unpleasant legal wranglings has, however, reminded all present of the towering impact on both the racing and road car industries made by Colin Chapman. His presence dominates the room.
"Whatever the legal issues over his legacy 30 years after his death, racing was his love, Team Lotus the 'jewel in the crown' of his business empire, and Formula 1 the arena in which all of his extraordinary qualities and talents were most passionately unleashed and expressed.
"Living up to 'Chunky's' unique legacy is a big task, but I know the boys and girls of this new Team Lotus relish the challenge and I wish them well in keeping the Chapman racing spirit alive and adding to the marque's glittering history."
The Lotus case continues next week, with several witnesses having already taken to the stand - including former FIA president Max Mosley, Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar and former Lotus technical director Peter Wright.

[killem2]

Why does Renault want the lotus name so bad, are they ashamed of their own heritage?

[Hammer278]

You got it all mixed up. Renault have absolutely NOTHING to do with this. They just appreciate the money that Group Lotus (the pretenders) are throwing at them.

The villains here are Group Lotus. The idiotic group which does NOT own the naming rights anymore, but want it back from Fernandes.

[Ichabod]

Why does Renault want the lotus name so bad, are they ashamed of their own heritage?

Group Lotus (Owned by Proton) are nothing to the Renault Team but a title sponsor just like Vodaphone , Marlboro or AT&T

What they want is MONEY !!

incidentally Group Lotus Actually made quite a big loss this year, I can't see Proton Putting up with that for long!

[killem2]

OHHHH that makes alot more sense.

But we don't see Vodaphone Mclaren on the team garage so why must it say lotus renault?

[Ichabod]

Not sure about that one
Group lotus have probably insisted just to irritate Team Lotus

[Jensonb]

Ready to spit milk out of your nose? I saw this today watching the first Indycar race of 2011 and had to pull my jaw off the floor.. Having myself missed most of the last 2 seasons of Indycar due to channel reception issues, I'm guessing it's a new Indy racing team.



If I see one more race car with a Lotus sticker, I'll seriously consider painting my own street car green and putting a Lotus sticker on it. LOL.

I think I've heard about that. Group Lotus have the same deal with them as they have with Renault GP

You know, I really hate calling Renault GP "Renault GP"...They have nothing to do with Renault. But equally I refuse to call them Lotus Renault, because that's the official Short Entry Name of Team Lotus. I'm going to call Renault GP "Lada GP" from now on.

[darwin dali]

Ready to spit milk out of your nose? I saw this today watching the first Indycar race of 2011 and had to pull my jaw off the floor.. Having myself missed most of the last 2 seasons of Indycar due to channel reception issues, I'm guessing it's a new Indy racing team.



If I see one more race car with a Lotus sticker, I'll seriously consider painting my own street car green and putting a Lotus sticker on it. LOL.

I think I've heard about that. Group Lotus have the same deal with them as they have with Renault GP

You know, I really hate calling Renault GP "Renault GP"...They have nothing to do with Renault. But equally I refuse to call them Lotus Renault, because that's the official Short Entry Name of Team Lotus. I'm going to call Renault GP "Lada GP" from now on.

[zurich_allan]

Ready to spit milk out of your nose? I saw this today watching the first Indycar race of 2011 and had to pull my jaw off the floor.. Having myself missed most of the last 2 seasons of Indycar due to channel reception issues, I'm guessing it's a new Indy racing team.



If I see one more race car with a Lotus sticker, I'll seriously consider painting my own street car green and putting a Lotus sticker on it. LOL.

Can't remember what the name was last season, but this isn't new - they ran the paint scheme etc. last year in Indycar with Sato at the wheel. Not sure if they actualy used the name or not, but they certainly ran the car in an identical scheme to the Team Lotus F1 car.

[zurich_allan]

With these latest revelations; it's time for Tony Fernandes to give up on the Lotus name and rebrand as Air Asia and be done with it... this has turned into a farce; dragging a historic name through the mud for no real reason. Fernandes clearly doesn't care about the Lotus name; it's purely about commercial interests!

I thought it was the other way around. Renault all of a sudden came in with this idea that they were the 'real' lotus after Fernandes' team had been running with the name already for half the season. So from what I'm seeing, Renault and group lotus caused all this mess for their own commercial interests. I'm a little curious how much group lotus and renault gp paid david hunt to all of a sudden change his mind about Fernandes the week of the court date.

But why should Fernandes give up on the Lotus name? He bought the rights to the name way before renault and group lotus started all this mess. I read that he hasn't finished paying for it, but frankly I don't believe that at all because that was never even raised as an issue until the week of the court date when david hunt pulled out of Fernandes' corner of the ring

Regarding the bold underlined section - I've heard this mentioned to. The reality is that under contract law that's not enough to void a contract in any case - so it's not a crucial point. Incomplete payment would render a contract potentially voidable if the defaulting party refuses to remedy the breach, however they must be given the opportunity to remedy the breach (i.e. make up any missed payment / incomplete payment).

If they're not given the opportunity to do that and Hunt decided to cancel the contract then the situation is reversed and HE would actually be the one in breach of contract - likely resulting in damages being recoverable by Fernandez, or potentially the granting of a court order to enforce the contract - or both!