Comments on: Two of Todt’s closest allies now running Lotus F1 team

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:53:00 +0000

As some earlier points out. This story is wrong. Its nice for everyone to put 2+2 together and make 5. But the reality is we are talking about 2 different Lotus companies. One is Lotus Group Plc in which Claudio will work and then you have a Malaysian run F1 team…

By: GP

GP — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:12:28 +0000

Your project is similar to mine. I’m starting a garage band and we’re naming it The Beatles. We’re already the greatest band ever!

By: Ollie the Norwegian

Ollie the Norwegian — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:52:10 +0000

Peter, you’re absolutely right. I’ve checked Lotus Group’s home page and several other sources, and it’s clear that Lotus Group and the Lotus F1 Team have nothing in common, except the words ‘Malaysia’ and ‘Lotus’. Claudio Berro has been appointed because Lotus (the sportscar manufacturer) are looking at getting into a variety of racing series, including Indy, Le Mans and GT racing.

By: john g

john g — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:38:20 +0000

all sounds a bit dodgy. guess everyone that expected todt to pick up mosely’s batton aren’t at all surprised…

By: alex m

alex m — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:55:51 +0000

Should be interesting, if Max wanted to favour his minions at Manor, while Toad has got a rival little bunch at Lotus, neither really seems to have any chance of regular F1 points, so 2010 should be interesting……

For the sake of F1, I do hope Peter Trenetson is right, one Manor is enough, one Max was enough.

By: James Allen

James Allen — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:38:58 +0000

Even greater news! Good luck.

By: dave

dave — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:19:07 +0000

Hi james
Great news

I also start at lotus on thursday next week
Should b a good well organised team
Looking fwrd to it

By: Peter Trenetson

Peter Trenetson — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:46:00 +0000

It’s one of the most confusing things ever, but I’m pretty darn sure that Dany Bahar and therefore Claudio Berro have NOTHING to do with the Lotus F1 Team. The way I understand it, the Lotus F1 team is only using a license to the name, and Group Lotus’ plans for motor sport are Le Mans, Indy, that sort of thing. I was surprised when I saw the story at F1.com because I don’t think it’s an F1-related story.
Correct me if I’m wrong!

By: Tripod Ape

Tripod Ape — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:25:31 +0000

Oh dear, a conflict of interest scandal is not a great place for Todt to start having campaigned on a reformist ticket.

By: Rudy Pyatt

Rudy Pyatt — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:24:36 +0000

I don’t think there was any skullduggery. But I do think that it creates such an appearance of a conflict of interest that conspiracy theories will fly thick and fast, quid pro quo stuff as in:

Max wanted Todt to succeed him. The World Council — which many will read as “Max” — agrees to add a team with ties to Todt. Max comes out even more strongly against Vatanen, undermines him, accuses him of undermining or insulting the World Council — for which, again, many will read as “Max”– to further weaken him and ensure a Todt victory, etc, etc, ad nauseum.

A truly independent F1 Commissioner will have to be installed if Todt is to avoid the credibility of his administration being wholly compromised here at the start. Otherwise, FOTA, or elements thereof, are going to flare up and fight him every step of the way.

We may even see litigation by Peter Sauber and/or Qadbak, to say nothing of FOTA (Williams?) reversing course and admitting Sauber as the 14th team, both on the grounds that the Lotus entry was, effectively, a rigged bid.

The season’s racing is about to end, but the off track drama continues…