More Lotus involvement IRL.Are Group Lotus and Team Lotus the same company?

[Johnsean]

Supposedly, Lotus Racing, soon to be Team Lotus and Group lotus are seperate entities. Previously both came under Colin Chapman.

I assume that much of the finance comes from the same source.

Can anyone explain the relationship? Are Group Lotus and Lotus racing effectively the same company? The article below quotes Tony Fernandes the F1 boss. The IRL programme comes under Dany Bahar the Group Lotus boss.

I apologise for the heading. Lotus(F1) and Group Lotus may be in the series as an Aero kit supplier and sponsor respectively. My mistake.

Here is a portion of a recent Autosport article (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/85280): The quote from Tony Fernandes raises a question.

The Lotus Group is already involved in the branding of Takuma Sato's KV Racing car, but Lotus Racing boss Tony Fernandes hinted at an increased role after yesterday's announcement.

"Lotus Racing congratulates the IndyCar Series on this exciting news and supports the revolutionary concept of a standard safety cell with various manufacturers producing aero kits," he said.

"We look forward to seeing more details on this future car strategy, and hopefully, allow our involvement in the series."

I believe Tony Fernandes is showing interest in designing and manufacturing Aero packages under the new rules.
Here is a quote from an Auto racing Speedtv (http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/marshall-pruett-indycar-iconic-thud-or-thunder/)article:
• The single biggest expense incurred by IndyCar teams, and most professional racing teams, for that matter, is aerodynamic development. Whether it’s designing a 2012 aero kit or spending a fortune on CFD and wind tunnel testing on a kit that was purchased, the ICONIC panel has opened up the one area of the rules that will cost teams and constructors the most money.

Can we expect Cosworth to enter the series with Lotus?

From the same Speedtv (http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/marshall-pruett-indycar-iconic-thud-or-thunder/) article:

Provided auto manufacturers actually commission 2012 engines, it will require a massive investment. When I saw the nearly $700,000 figure, I knew that non-stressed engines had been bypassed as a 2012 solution. The only way a 2.4L 4-cylinder turbo goes for $700K is if it is built like the CART engines of the late 1990s. For that sum, expect to see miniature versions of the jewels that Cosworth, Ilmor, Honda, and Toyota produced before the costs became unmanageable and they chose to leave the series. This feels like history repeating itself.

[clockwork]

Who owns what is a can of worms,Proton own Group Lotus,Lotus Racing is owned by a consortium,including Proton and many others,Team Lotus is owned by David Hunt ,Classic Team Lotus is owned by Clive Chapman,but as with all things I know, I could be wrong.:)

[WayneB]

No Group Lotus and Lotus Racing are not the same company, but do share some financing from a common source (Proton Malaysia).

The Indy car effort is just a sponsorship deal Lotus Cars have done with KV Racing , Lotus have no real imput into that car at all except the design of the Livery from what I am told.

Where all this is going longterm is uncertain to me, and Tony Fernades comments on Lotuses increased involvement in the Indy car effort are quite baffling to as all they can do on the new chassis is to design the aero package which ATM Lotus Cars do not have the expertease to do, which is evident in there use of Dallara to figure out the Aerodynamics of the Evora racing cars.

Lotus Racing are also farming out aerodynamics development of their car (to Fondmetal), so they cant do it either.

I personally dont see the Indy sponsorship lasting past another season myself, the main reason being cost (a rumoured 3 million $ a season) which I would guess is coming out of the Lotus Cars USA Advertising budget.

So far I have seen little or no evidence that the Indy Car sponsorship is making the slightest difference to Lotus sales in the USA as I believe most knowledgeable Lotus enthusiasts see beyond this weak effort to try and convince North Americans that "Lotus are back in big time racing in North America"

I guess you could argue they are, but just as a decal package and not as designers , engineers and car constructors as they were before.

All of this concentration on marketing seems pretty shallow to me, I would have preffered the company use the money on good solid product which tends to sell itself.

Sato finished 25th today, I rest my case.

[Autocross7]

I totally agree and think this is an example of how Lotus is losing that 'thing' that most of call "Lotus"... :no:

[Johnsean]

Who owns what is a can of worms,Proton own Group Lotus,Lotus Racing is owned by a consortium,including Proton and many others,Team Lotus is owned by David Hunt ,Classic Team Lotus is owned by Clive Chapman,but as with all things I know, I could be wrong.:)

Thanks for the feedback guys.
This article led me to believe that Team Lotus MAY become part of Lotus F1 under Tony Fernandes...
http://www.crash.net/f1/news/161562/1/lotus_for_renault_switch_return_to_team_lotus_name .html

Lotus for Renault switch, return to Team Lotus name?
What's more, Clive Chapman – son of legendary Team Lotus founder Colin Chapman – joined Lotus Racing for the European Grand Prix in Valencia last month to celebrate 500 starts at the highest level, and Fernandes has recently approached David Hunt, brother of 1976 F1 World Champion James Hunt, with a view to purchasing the rights to the Team Lotus name. Should Renault come on-board too, a little bit of grand prix history could just be about to be re-written.

[clockwork]

David Hunt bought the rights to the name (and the remains of the team)when it folded,however later on he entered into a partnership with Pacific Racing ,which I think was owned by two people, so the rights are now split between Mr Hunt and two others.:)

[Brian Skeoch]

the Indy car is receiving 3 million in sponsorship fees.....

[WayneB]

Changing the name from Lotus Racing to Team Lotus isnt going to make the car any quicker.

Surprised to see they are talking about getting Reggie to supply engines when the Cosworth deal was being touted as a marrage made in heaven a couple of months ago.