Lotus back in Formula One ???

[Gerard]

According to Italian newspaper 'La Gazetta dello Sport', Lotus, the former F1 Constructor, may not be consigned completely to the history books with reports that it is in talks with the struggling Prost team about an all-out Grand Prix revival.

The newspaper reported this weekend that Former Team Onyx Boss Mike Earle, backed by a business consortium of companies all interested in seeing Lotus back in Formula One, is reportedly looking to purchase a considerable stake in Prost.

Potentially, the deal will enable both the Lotus name to return, and could give Prost vital lifeblood, with the increasing likelihood that the outfit will be without engines next year. Crucial funds, brought to the table by the consortium, could enable a supply of Supertecs, or Mugens, depending if Honda decides to keep the customer programme on-line. The Gazzetta said that negotiations were secretly taking place, but it was unknown when or if an announcement was expected.

These newest reports, provided they materialise, are the latest in a long line of attempts to get Lotus back on the grid. Previous bids have fallen down due to either lack of funds, or legal disputes with the use of the Lotus name.
David Hunt, brother of the late Champion James, owns the Team Lotus trademark and has been involved in earlier bids, including the one that linked a tie-up with the Sauber team via Malaysian carmaker Proton, which owns Lotus cars. It never got past the rumour stage.

The last try which made it onto the grid was 1995's alliance with the since defunct Pacific Team. Initially called the 'Formidable new alliance aiming for Grand Prix success' the outfit bowed out at the end of the season with huge debts and no success.

But the new attempt could make sense for both parties if the consortium is all what it seems. Lotus, one of Formula One's most famous and successful constructors, with seven World Constructors titles and six Drivers' crowns, could use Prost as its entry point back onto the world stage, and the French team would benefit vastly from the cash input.
Team owner Alain Prost has been rumoured to putting his outfit on the market, and several companies worldwide have expressed interest. Prost is facing the threat of losing his biggest sponsors, and with the withdrawal of Peugeot, he is yet to secure powerplants for 2001.

Mike Earle, as part of his new plan, is also reportedly keen on moving Prost's entire Guyancourt base near Paris to new headquarters in the UK.

Also, the UK's Sunday Telegraph today carried a story that David Hunt, brother of the former driver James Hunt, is bidding for the Prost team.

The rumour has been circulating for some months, that David Hunt plans to bring the Team Lotus mark back to Formula 1, with the backing of Candover Investments.

However, there is some controversy surrounding who is the true owner of the Team Lotus mark, as it was previously thought to be under the ownership of Colin Chapman's heirs. However, Hunt apparently bought it from the former team managers who in turn bought it from the Receivers.

It was thought that Prost was close to being sold to a syndicate led by Canadian Marc Bourdeau of Vector Motorsport.