Team Lotus linked to Caterham tie-up
autosport.com 2011.04.21. 19:05
Team Lotus has been linked to a tie-up deal with sportscar manufacturer Caterham, with an announcement about a takeover possible as early as next week.
The Hingham-based outfit has announced that it is to hold a major press conference at Duxford Airfield next week - although it has not confirmed any further details.
In an invite sent to the press, the team stated that the media event would be "an incredibly exciting announcement about the future of the team".
Sources have revealed to AUTOSPORT that Team Lotus could be on the verge of a takeover of Caterham - which if it came off would provide obvious marketing and technical opportunities between the F1 operation and the road car business.
The link with Caterham could also in theory give the F1 team another option in terms of a future brand name for the outfit, if it opts to move away from the 'Team Lotus' moniker on the back of the dispute with Group Lotus.
Team Lotus declined to comment on the Caterham speculation when contacted by AUTOSPORT on Thursday.
Next week's press event will also likely come before there is any firm answer from the British courts about the ongoing Lotus naming dispute.
It had originally been hoped that the judge could issue his verdict as early as this week, but sources suggest that there will now be a delay for several weeks – meaning the issue will not be settled until next month.
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