Lotus confirm Infinity Racing as new part-owners

Lotus have confirmed that the team have new part-owners, after investment consortium, Infinity Racing acquired a 35 per cent stake in the team.

Infinity Racing joins Genii Capital, who retain a controlling stake in the team, with Gerard Lopez continuing as chairman.

Infinity Racing is an investment consortium whose special purpose vehicle is comprised of private investors that include an American hedge fund manager, an Abu Dhabi-based multinational business group and royal family interests of a major oil producing nation.

Lotus have not held a title sponsor so far this season, but chairman Gerard Lopez believes the deal with Infinity Racing may open up sponsor opportunities: "Infinity Racing's principals have exceptional expertise and a proven strong track record in developing and delivering high quality technologies," he said.

"This partnership will enable us to increase Lotus F1 Team's competitive advantage related to KERS technology as it becomes more central to Formula 1's push for environmentally sound racing, while also making Lotus F1 Team more marketable as a brand, opening up additional major sponsorship opportunities."

Mansoor Ijaz and Suhail Al Dhaheri, chairman and vice chairman of Infinity Racing, also stated their excitement at becoming part of Lotus: "Gerard Lopez, Eric Lux and the entire Genii Capital team are building Lotus F1 Team to make it a serious competitor at every race and a winner on a par with the top racing teams in Formula 1," they said.

"We are honoured to be part of the Team's forward march to the No.1 ranking and proud of the team spirit, down-to-earth nature and performance-oriented results that characterise the experts at Enstone, who endeavour to make Lotus F1 Team a title challenger in Formula 1 today."