There will be just one team bearing the Lotus name in next year’s Formula One championship.
Motorsport’s ruling body has approved Renault’s switch to call itself Lotus, with Team Lotus becoming Caterham. Virgin Racing will also rebrand as Marussia.
Team Lotus and car company Group Lotus had been in dispute over the use of the famous name. Washington Post
The trio received approval to change their names at the F1 commission meeting in Geneva on Tuesday and the changes have since been ratified by the FIA.
A statement on the motorsport governing body’s website read: “The FIA, on the basis of the support expressed by its F1 commission chaired by Bernie Ecclestone, which had a meeting in Geneva on November 3, has agreed the following team name changes as from 2012: Caterham F1 Team (from Lotus); Lotus Renault GP (from Renault) and Marussia F1 Team (from Virgin).
Renault, who have been competing under the French manufacturer’s name since 2002, opted to change its name to Lotus after the car company took over title sponsorship this year.
“We are very pleased that our chassis name change has been approved,” said Renault team principal Eric Boullier. “We have said all along that, in the interests of the sport, it is important that we remove any ambiguity on this matter. SkySports
“It is also important that there are clearly identifiable teams on the grid, and today’s announcement goes some way towards ensuring that.”
Boullier added that the confirmation of the name change marked the start of a new era, but not a total transformation, for his team, which previously operated as Toleman and Benetton before becoming Renault’s works operation.
“It is the start of another chapter for Enstone, but not a whole new beginning,” he said.
“The team’s history and experience will allow us to take up this challenge with a controlled and swift process. We’re very much looking forward to 2012.” Yahoo! Eurosport UK
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