David Hunt: F1 disrupted and public confused by the entire Lotus scene
David Hunt believes that there is no reason to be happy with the current deal signed between the Group Lotus' and Renault F1 Team. He is of the view that the collaboration will only result in damaging the repute of the legendary ‘Lotus’ brand as well as
it will bring disrepute to Formula One.
David Hunt is the brother of James Hunt, the 1976 Formula One world champion. Later, the racer also bought the rights to the 'Team Lotus'. He owned it until last year, when he sold it to Tony Fernandes, the team Principal of the current Team Lotus’.
Earlier this year, as Fernandes announced his plans to continue with the same team name for another season, a completely separate company, Group Lotus, that manufactures cars under the parent company, Proton, filed a case against them. The company claimed
to be the original heirs of the title of the legendary team ‘Lotus’.
Moreover, Dany Bahar, the head of the auto manufacturer company, who is also the former Ferrari and Red Bull marketing man, has signed a contract with Renault F1 Team earlier this week. Now, Renault will be seen on next season’s grid as Lotus Renault GP,
as Group Lotus has become the new title sponsor while Renault will only be providing engines to the team.
The situation is being seen by many others and especially by Hunt as a very awkward one. Next season’s grid will see two teams named ‘Lotus’, both using Renault engines while both have their cars, more or less, similarly painted in black and gold.
While looking at the situation Hunt proclaimed, "Have the sponsors on Renault's car all been warned what they are in for and the damage that might occur to their brand through association of what is effectively a declaration of war by Proton?" However, the
case is still filed and sentence of the court is yet to be declared. Therefore, one can expect to see a few changes in the current circumstances.
The brother of the racer further continued saying, "And given Renault still have a suspended sentence tied to them after bringing the sport into disrepute (for crashgate) in 2008, are they doing so again by deliberately and willfully confusing the public
over the Lotus brand?"
He believes that the whole situation is created without any reason and is doing no good to either of the teams. He takes the entire matter as a poor publicity stunt which is not only confusing the public but also disrupting Formula One.
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