2012 Formula One Discussion

[SpliT]

Anyway, here's something missed by F-O-M in Malaysia; Senna spinning de La Rosa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wldUv9tmUc

Maldonado hits di Resta

[donald29]

I'm not sure I'd be too keen on the run-off zone being the Atlantic Ocean

Pah never used to be a problem.

[iceman1]

Lotus F1 team committed to name despite end of title sponsor deal

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98628

Reppo posted something similar few days ago.

I just hope money won't be an issue to keep developing the car.

[phil1993]

First signs that Lotus realises money doesn't grow on trees. I'll give it a few more years before team Enstone changes name again...

[donald29]

Just when you think it's over... they go through all that only for this to happen! A few seasons could be optimisitc Phil.

[tderias]

I'm not sure I'd be too keen on the run-off zone being the Atlantic Ocean

Pah never used to be a problem.

thought it was a joke until i saw the video :0

[donald29]

Nope. Happened only four days before he was killed testing at Monza.

[reppo]

There has been in news about the possibility of Genii buying Lotus Group from DRB-Hicom, after Proton was sold to it. It is now a question, does Genii see Lotus Groups worth for investing and for what price. Could well be that Genii seeks some other options and Lotus name disappears from F1 once again. It Lotus F1 team is not profitable to Genii they will sell it. On the other hand if DRB-Hicom is not asking astronomical price for Lotus Group, then there would be good synergy between Lotus Cars and F1 team. We could see the return of Team Lotus name to F1 and this time both the F1 team and Lotus road cars would be tied together as they used to be in the past. I would like to see that

Kimi has done now regularly promotional job for Lotus Cars. Now when Lotus Group retires will he still be doing it. Maybe there is some kind of deal for this year but not for next year. Genii anyway needs a title sponsor for F1 team. Lotus Cars could fit nicely into their portfolio, but even without Lotus Cars they need to keep building their F1 team. If for not any other reason, at least to minimize their losses in F1 adventure, or they have to sell it as soon as possible. If they can make this year a success, getting sponsors or selling the team with good price should not be a problem.

[Suomileijona]

Reppo, thank you for the optimistic touch. It beats all that mocking and bad mouthing... I try very much to to avoid it nowadays.

[reppo]

Reppo, thank you for the optimistic touch. It beats all that mocking and bad mouthing... I try very much to to avoid it nowadays.

Thanks. I try to be objective and stay out of flame wars, even if I sometimes feel there could be something to add. Something to learn from Kimi. He does not go mocking ex-teams, other drivers or his current car even if there might sometimes be a good reason

I'm not concerned about Kimi's or Lotus team's future. Kimi has already shown his talent after the break from F1 and Endstone has shown their ability to build a fast car. Even if Genii would retire from F1, the team as whole can survive, and if people decides to take their separate roads, they will find job in the future. Who knows, Kimi might even return to McLaren now that Ron has left the team However I would prefer Kimi and Lotus to succeed as the team since it looks so promising now

[Mar]

Lotus F1 team committed to name despite end of title sponsor deal

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98628

Reppo posted something similar few days ago.

I just hope money won't be an issue to keep developing the car.

I think López had already said a couple of weeks ago that Lotus was giving the name but nothing else.
I still don't understand where this team is getting the money from. Is the Unilever deal that good?

Also today morning, about 1 hour before Autosport's article, Motorsport-total.com published an article telling the sponsorship of Lotus would not continue. They also said that, from the moment Genii begun to talk to Räikkönen, it was clear that was going to be the case I think they mean that because of dealing with the world champion, they would have the chance to get some real new sponsors like Unilever and not depend on money from Lotus that was not really that big and not really that safe, but it's written in a very confusing way.

[phil1993]

Episode 64 of TFL with Rubens, including a question from F1Zone
http://smibs.tv/the-flying-lap/rubens-b ... lo-2012-f1

[F1Fan88]

So Lotus is no longer Lotus but will remain as Lotus... And the team previously known as Team Lotus (who Lotus entered into a legal dispute with to stop them using the name) are now Caterham.

This all seems a bit ridiculous given that there are really no links to the legendary F1 name of Colin Chapman's Lotus team.

[donald29]

Enjoy TFL, had missed it this week and didn't realise Rubens was on it. Am interested to hear from him, thanks for alerting me!

[reppo]

Who owns the Team Lotus name now? David Hunt who bought the team, sold the right to use the name to Fernandez, and even court approved the use of it, Fernandez changed the team to Caterham. Chapman family wishes never to see Team Lotus name used in F1 again. Though when money talks who knows what will happen.