Lotus Renault GP and Team Lotus to run the same retro livery in 2011

Not only does it appear there will be two Lotus teams on the grid in 2011, they both plan to run the famous black and gold livery from the John Player Special days!

Here is what Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar said on Autosport.com about two Lotus branded teams appearing on the grid.

“Not [a problem] at all – for me, four are better than two,” Bahar told BBC Radio Norfolk. “The controversy, that is something that has mainly been pushed up by media I would say, has been dealt with directly by our shareholders in Malaysia and with the owners of the 1Malaysia racing team [Team Lotus’ parent company], and doesn’t really touch us.

“However, my personal opinion is that four Lotus brands out there is better than two. I have nothing against that.”

And here is the view from Team Lotus boss Tony Fernandes on Autosport.com about news of Group Lotus’s plans to run the black and gold livery.

“Fernandes said he was also still extremely positive about his team’s prospects in the row – and noted that Group Lotus and Renault were using black and gold colours, the livery his squad had recently announced it would switch to in 2011.

“[Group Lotus CEO] Dany Bahar has done us a favour,” Fernandes wrote. “Never felt better about our future and Team Lotus. Looks like they’re trying to hijack our black and gold idea.”

Interesting times indeed. One thing is for sure, I hope they do justice to the classic black and gold.

Follow the saga at Group Lotus and Team Lotus (or Lotus Racing as it currently is)