Friday 16 May 2014

Lotus want team who have outstanding bill with Renault Sport to be named

(©Ben Johnston 2014)

Lotus F1 Team principal Gerard Lopez has urged Renault Sport to name the team who have yet to pay for their supply of Renault V6 power units after it emerged over the Spanish Grand Prix weekend that a team they supply have failed to pay the latest installment due to the French manufacturer.

A spokesman from the Enstone based outfit told this weeks edition of Autosport Magazine: 'We have an agreement with Renault Sport F1 for the payment of our power unit for 2014. We are are 100 percent up to date with our agreement'.

Meanwhile Caterham F1 Team principal Cyril Abiteboul stated: 'It is a confidential issue but I'm happy to say that we are settled with invoices with Renault Sport F1.'

The fact that both Lotus and Caterham have stated that they are up to date with their payments that leaves just two teams who it could be that are behind on their payments. 

Lopez believes that Renault should name thee team(s) who are behind on their payments as they fact that they have not it is creating 'negative speculation' for the teams who have paid up. Lopez, whose team have suffered from financial issues confirmed that he met with Renault over the course of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend. Speaking to the Press Association, Lopez said:

'This is why we had a meeting, because I wanted them to clarify their price. "I said to them if they are going to say things, then name the team that is an issue. Don't just say 'teams' and then expect people to make their own judgements. We respect the arrangements we have with them.

"If there is (somebody who has not paid), it must be somebody else, but I'm not even sure there is, to be honest with you, so we'll see.'
Following a difficult start to the 2014 season, the Lotus F1 Team secured their first points of the year at the last race at the Barcelona Circuit de Catalunya last weekend when Romain Grosjean finished the race in 8th place to collect four points. That result means that the Caterham F1 Team are the only other Renualt powered outfit yet to score points this season.
©Ben Johnston 2014

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