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Proton to take over Lotus F1 Team?

Started by D.M.N. , Oct 27 2012 08:53

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26 replies to this topic

#1 D.M.N.

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Posted 27 October 2012 - 08:53

An interesting rumour floating in the India paddock that was reported by Brundle in the Sky commentary: Proton are set to buy the Lotus F1 Team.

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#2 Zava

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Posted 27 October 2012 - 08:55

An interesting rumour floating in the India paddock that was reported by Brundle in the Sky commentary: Proton are set to buy the Lotus F1 Team.

hmm... might explain why Raikkönen still didn't sign. but where else could he go if the team's future got in doubt?

#3 korzeniow

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Posted 27 October 2012 - 08:58

I think Genii would sell some shares not the whole team.

That would be insane to buy the team from Renault only to sell it to Proton

Edited by korzeniow, 27 October 2012 - 09:07.

#4 Atreiu

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Posted 27 October 2012 - 08:58

hmm... might explain why Raikkönen still didn't sign. but where else could he go if the team's future got in doubt?


Anywhere from NASCAR to WRC.

#5 RedBaron

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Posted 27 October 2012 - 08:59

They've now denied Proton are even on the list of investors. Brundle just confirmed.

#6 Ross Stonefeld

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Posted 27 October 2012 - 09:54

I think Genii would sell some shares not the whole team.

That would be insane to buy the team from Renault only to sell it to Proton


Companies buy things and resell them later *all the time*.

#7 sesku

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Posted 27 October 2012 - 14:36

Why Proton would buy a F1 team when they still struggling to find the solution for Lotus Group survival? Beside, Proton is not big car manufacture that can spend a lot of money for F1. For me, Proton is more of rally car brand than a F1.

#8 AvranaKern

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Posted 27 October 2012 - 14:41

Genii has been saying from the beginning that they aim to use Formula 1 as a platform to promote their products. If they feel selling them to another company would be much profitable, they they will do it. Perhaps Formula 1/F1 team didn't turn out to be the platform that they had presumed. They aren't a racing team or anything. It's plausible.

However, I've read from somewhere that Lotus denied this rumour. Although, that (in)famous saying regarding officially denied rumours would hint that this is actually happening.

#9 D.M.N.

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Posted 27 October 2012 - 15:11

However, I've read from somewhere that Lotus denied this rumour. Although, that (in)famous saying regarding officially denied rumours would hint that this is actually happening.


Yeah, Brundle reported the rumour in Q1 saying a lot of people had been talking about it in the paddock. At the start of Q2, he said that Lotus' PR guy Stephane Samson had contacted them saying it's not true.

Seemed a bit too quick for my liking, I have to say.

#10 BrokenBaculum

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Posted 27 October 2012 - 20:48

Why Proton would buy a F1 team when they still struggling to find the solution for Lotus Group survival? Beside, Proton is not big car manufacture that can spend a lot of money for F1. For me, Proton is more of rally car brand than a F1.


I agree, and touring car brand too. (Used to love these):

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#11 packapoo

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Posted 28 October 2012 - 06:28

An interesting rumour floating in the India paddock that was reported by Brundle in the Sky commentary: Proton are set to buy the Lotus F1 Team.


Doubtful. Very.
What sense would this make?

#12 CatInTheBag

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Posted 28 October 2012 - 06:31


It will be DRB-Hicon's stupidest mistake if its close to even true.


#13 Realyn

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Posted 28 October 2012 - 06:32

Well it certainly ain't no news that they are going to change there name next year. Just after winning the stupid court battle ...

#14 TennisUK

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Posted 28 October 2012 - 07:52

Well it certainly ain't no news that they are going to change there name next year. Just after winning the stupid court battle ...

Given how cautiously DRB (Proton's parent) have been handling Group Lotus's finances the idea of them sanctioning a purchase of an F1 team is pretty fanciful so it's not a surprise to hear they aren't involved.

Any new name change would - you'd think - be financially costly for them, too.

And they didn't win the court case - they essentially lost and the matter (and name change) was arranged outside of court.

#15 Cool Beans

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Posted 28 October 2012 - 07:58

Well it certainly ain't no news that they are going to change there name next year. Just after winning the stupid court battle ...

I think Lotus announced they will keep the name for 5 years even though they no longer are sponsored by them. IIRC.

#16 DrProzac

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Posted 28 October 2012 - 08:40

That would be insane to buy the team from Renault only to sell it to Proton

It would be if it were to be sold without profit. If ti's profitable, it's business.

#17 Dolph

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Posted 29 October 2012 - 05:59

The Lotus team is currently performing extremly well. They are 4th in the championship with several podiums, a WDC driver and a fast rookie, the Concorde agreement's almost signed. If you bought it to sell it then now is a good time.

#18 MustangSally

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Posted 29 October 2012 - 09:59

They've now denied Proton are even on the list of investors. Brundle just confirmed.


But I believe they are on the list of creditors?

When Lotus Group sponsorship ceased, I believe Proton gave Lotus a sizeable loan, secured on team assets.

#19 lustigson

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Posted 29 October 2012 - 10:12

It would be if it were to be sold without profit. If ti's profitable, it's business.

Even it it isn't profitable, it's business. Bad business! ;)

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#20 Shiroo

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Posted 29 October 2012 - 10:52

In my opinion, selling the team is quite unlikely, though finding some sponsor that will be added to team's name can be on cards.

#21 Reinmuster

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Posted 29 October 2012 - 11:12

It appears that talks with Proton are broken down. Genii are still the owner of the Lotus F1.

I think Genii prepare to commit with the team because of Kimi's re-sign for another year.

It's good because it brings stability into team and Lotus can now fully concentrate with their 2013 challenger and maximize it around Kimi.



#22 lustigson

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Posted 29 October 2012 - 11:18

... Lotus can now fully concentrate with their 2013 challenger and maximize it around Kimi.

Which, in turn, could increase the value of the team should GenII eventually sell it, indeed.

#23 lustigson

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Posted 29 October 2012 - 11:21

By the way, I don't fully understand where the Proton rumours came from. It can't be through Group Lotus a.k.a. Lotus Cars, can it? Since Proton sold that company to DRB-HICOM.

#24 sesku

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Posted 29 October 2012 - 11:59

By the way, I don't fully understand where the Proton rumours came from. It can't be through Group Lotus a.k.a. Lotus Cars, can it? Since Proton sold that company to DRB-HICOM.

DRB-Hicom buy Proton, a company who own Group Lotus. So DRB-Hicom automatically own Group Lotus too.

#25 lustigson

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Posted 29 October 2012 - 14:27

DRB-Hicom buy Proton, a company who own Group Lotus. So DRB-Hicom automatically own Group Lotus too.

Oh, shoot, I must have misinterpreted the news, at the time. I thought DRB 'only' bought Lotus, but they bought the Proton company. My bad.

#26 One

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Posted 29 October 2012 - 15:18

Kinda make sense for Proton to race Lotus at F1 tho.
Next thing should be that DRB start moaning that the Lotus Brand is abused...

#27 sesku

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Posted 29 October 2012 - 15:44

Proton just announce a collaboration with Honda.

http://thestar.com.m...=...&sec=nation
http://paultan.org/2...tion-agreement/

Will Proton buy Lotus F1 Team in near future and use Honda engine?
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