Lotus Back As Engine Builder?

The Lotus name could return to Formula One within the next couple of years, if reports in the Malaysian press are to be believed.


The latest comeback is reported to be in conjunction with parent company Proton and Malaysian petro-chemical giant Petronas, which has a stake in the Sauber F1 team. According to stories appearing in the national press this week, the triumvirate intend for Lotus to provide engines for Sauber, thereby freeing the Swiss outfit from its deal with Ferrari.


Although potentially a successful tie-up, Sauber has always received year-old specification engines, and has never been able to compete on a par with the grand prix legend. It is intended that Lotus will initially aid Sauber with the development of the Petronas-badged V10s, before eventually building its own units for the team. With Petronas poised to buy up Proton, the arrangement would also free Sauber from the estimated $20million cost of using Ferrari technology.


Lotus intended to return to the sport it left in the early 1990s under the guidance of former racer David Hunt, but was deterred by the increased entry bond introduced by the FIA last month.