Sep.27 (GMM) Malaysian carmaker Proton on Monday vowed to challenge Tony Fernandes' intention to brand his formula one team 'Team Lotus' in 2011 and beyond.

In 2010, airline millionaire Fernandes' new team has been called 'Lotus Racing', with the name officially licensed by the separate British carmaker Group Lotus.

But Group Lotus is now ramping up its motor racing efforts, including by allying with GP2 team ART next year. It is believed the carmaker therefore decided to retract the naming license for Fernandes' team.

Air Asia chief Fernandes has therefore bought the separate Team Lotus name from David Hunt. But Group Lotus said in a statement on Monday that it will resist Fernandes' intention to call his F1 team Lotus in 2011.

"We are the owners of this brand, and will take all necessary steps to protect it," said Proton Holdings Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh.

"Tony Fernandes has no rights to use the Lotus brand in the 2011 formula one season, and we will strongly resist any attempts by him to use our brand without our permission and will withdraw our sponsorship of the Lotus Racing team," he added.

Nadzmi confirmed that Proton and Group Lotus have terminated the licensing of the Lotus Racing name for Fernandes' team because of "flagrant and persistent breaches of the licence by (the team), which were damaging to the Lotus brand".

He also said Group Lotus will not allow Fernandes' team to be called 'Team Lotus' in 2011, even though the name was owned separately by 1976 world champion James Hunt's brother David since 1994.

"Mr Hunt's attempt to acquire the name Team Lotus (in the 90s) was ineffective," said the Proton statement.

"Group Lotus is the owner of all rights in the 'Lotus' automotive brand including those relating to formula one," it added.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version