Why are lotus so far behind?
Discussion
Renault power unit is weak, lots of gremlins; lacking rear downforce; Eric Boullier has taken over Martin Whitmarsh at McLaren, James Allison is now back at Ferrari and correct if I'm wrong but I seem to remember hearing on the forum grapevines that some personnel have become fed up and left to join elsewhere - Williams IIRC.
They owed Kimi alot of money that they had to pay at the end of last season, and who knows whether they owed Grosjean money too. There were also reports of staff not being paid, so there must have been large debts.
I suspect they may have held off on development while trying to get the Quantum money slightly, causing them to miss the first test. For some reason, everyone bar Lotus knew that deal wasn't going ahead, which shows how desperate they were for the cash.
Although he does bring some money, I think Maldonado and his antics will put any other investors/sponsors off as there will be negative attention attributed to the team and therefore any associated brands. If they couldn't secure money winning races with Kimi last year, then they're not going to get any more interest now and I wonder whether they are going to be able to continue.
I suspect they may have held off on development while trying to get the Quantum money slightly, causing them to miss the first test. For some reason, everyone bar Lotus knew that deal wasn't going ahead, which shows how desperate they were for the cash.
Although he does bring some money, I think Maldonado and his antics will put any other investors/sponsors off as there will be negative attention attributed to the team and therefore any associated brands. If they couldn't secure money winning races with Kimi last year, then they're not going to get any more interest now and I wonder whether they are going to be able to continue.
Schermerhorn said:
I suspect they'll be swallowed up by a big name manufacturer in the near future and get the cash injection they desperately need.
Perversely, I think this is the problem. Those that have long-owned the team have seen it as an investment opportunity first and a team second. RichB said:
Schermerhorn said:
I suspect they'll be swallowed up by a big name manufacturer in the near future and get the cash injection they desperately need.
On the basis they are Renault are they not already a manufacturer team? geeks said:
RichB said:
Schermerhorn said:
I suspect they'll be swallowed up by a big name manufacturer in the near future and get the cash injection they desperately need.
On the basis they are Renault are they not already a manufacturer team? RichB said:
geeks said:
RichB said:
Schermerhorn said:
I suspect they'll be swallowed up by a big name manufacturer in the near future and get the cash injection they desperately need.
On the basis they are Renault are they not already a manufacturer team? http://www.renault.com/en/passionsport/sport-autom...
http://www.crash.net/f1/news/173061/1/red-bull-rac...
Also don't forget the Infinity tie in.
Rich B - Renault sold all their remaining shares to Genii at the end of 2010 - they have no involvement now at all, aside from providing engines on a customer basis.
Group Lotus are a partner of the team, whatever that means.
Group Lotus are a partner of the team, whatever that means.
Edited by Vocal Minority on Tuesday 8th April 10:57
Edited by Vocal Minority on Tuesday 8th April 10:57
geeks said:
Interesting, I'd never thought of it that way but then maybe I was being too simplistic. My understanding is that serious financial difficulties led to them missing payroll deadlines last year. Understandably, this situation has led to a brain drain from Enstone, led by Boullier and Allison. The team have therefore lacked the resources, both financial and human, to develop their car properly.
It’s astonishing how quickly things can turn round. Not so long ago, they were a works team with a world champion driver and a major bank as title sponsor.
It’s astonishing how quickly things can turn round. Not so long ago, they were a works team with a world champion driver and a major bank as title sponsor.
Bradgate said:
My understanding is that serious financial difficulties led to them missing payroll deadlines last year. Understandably, this situation has led to a brain drain from Enstone, led by Boullier and Allison. The team have therefore lacked the resources, both financial and human, to develop their car properly.
It’s astonishing how quickly things can turn round. Not so long ago, they were a works team with a world champion driver and a major bank as title sponsor.
Remind me?It’s astonishing how quickly things can turn round. Not so long ago, they were a works team with a world champion driver and a major bank as title sponsor.
Tyre Smoke said:
Bradgate said:
My understanding is that serious financial difficulties led to them missing payroll deadlines last year. Understandably, this situation has led to a brain drain from Enstone, led by Boullier and Allison. The team have therefore lacked the resources, both financial and human, to develop their car properly.
It’s astonishing how quickly things can turn round. Not so long ago, they were a works team with a world champion driver and a major bank as title sponsor.
Remind me?It’s astonishing how quickly things can turn round. Not so long ago, they were a works team with a world champion driver and a major bank as title sponsor.
RichB said:
That's not my understanding - Stewart>Jaguar>RedBull / Renault>Lotus (part owner). My view is that Renault are a simply supplier to Red Bull. Either way the current Lotus F1 team are nothing to do with Lotus.
Yup, the Bennetton > Renault > Lotus DNA is finished. It's an independent Lotus-branded team now, with no real Lotus or Renault DNA. A new Renault works DNA is developing in Red Bull. I'd even suggest Caterham is more Lotus than Lotus.Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff