Tony Fernandes plays down Group Lotus’ accusations
The team boss of Team Lotus, Tony Fernandes has completely dismissed all the reports saying that he has turned down any offer of partnership with Group Lotus because money matters did not settle as per his demand.
There have been stories in the media, saying that Group Lotus CEO, Dany Bahar wanted to negotiate the matter of team name with Fernandes and that he wanted to become the title sponsor for the Team Lotus. However, it was reported by Bahar that Fernandes plainly
refused the deal as he wanted three times more than what has been now settled with Renault F1.
However, while replying back Fernandes said that no deal has ever been talked between the two. He
further stated that the war of words must come to end between the two parties, which are only damaging the reputation of the legendary name.
While explaining his position, Fernandes stated, "There was no such thing as an offer. There is an understanding that Lotus' involvement with Renault is worth £20 million, which would therefore mean that I was seeking £60 million - which is a complete fabrication.
We never got past an initial dinner meeting. Dany Bahar and Riad Asmat [CEO of Team Lotus] met and that was it. No offers were ever exchanged.”
He further told that Team Lotus completely wanted the deal to work well which was in the benefit of both, the team and the manufacturers. He stated that there was discussion for an equity sharing, and working together forming a good combination, for the
good of the Lotus brand and he believes that the fans and the sport would have been served well by doing so. However, this all never worked well between the two and now Group Lotus has signed with Renault F1 team as their title sponsor for the upcoming season.
On the 2011 grid, Renault will be seen as ‘Lotus Renault GP’ while the fate for Team Louts’ name is yet to be decided by the court.
Fernandes commended on this recent deal saying, "I can state categorically that there is no way we were three times more expensive (than RenaultF1). Dany got it into his mind that Mike Gascoyne was old school and that it would take a long, long time for
Lotus Racing to be a challenger at the top. I think with the package we have got, towards the end of next season we will be not very far away from RenaultF1 and if he had been a bit more patient, given it a bit more time and been open to news then a super
collaboration could have happened."
He further continued saying that he was sorry for the way the iconic brand ‘Lotus’ was damaged because of this dispute as he believes that it could have been solved very easily had Group Lotus been a little more cooperative.
Fernandes says that he is not happy with the matter and wants it to get over with soon. He also revealed that he is being continuously attacked by Dany Bahar Group Lotus CEO, Eric Boullier team principal of the Renault, and Gerard Lopez now the co-owner
of Lotus Renault GP.
The team Lotus boss concluded saying that the entire matter has been much more dramatised than it should have been and he really thinks that it is bad for the brand and hurts the fans and the supporters also. He said, “How Eric Boullier can say we have fooled
fans - I think that is an insult to fans. Fans will make up their own mind. If we are not up to the mark they will not give us any support. You cannot fool anyone."
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