Lotus should move to Mercedes as soon as 2015

Lotus is experiencing a catastrophic year despite clearly being the second strongest team on the grid at the end of last season. However, it seems that the decision to part ways comes more from Renault’s side than Lotus, which is not making a bad move by acquiring the best engine on the grid at the moment. This would serve as a guarantee to Venezuela to maintain PDVSA’s essential contribution.

Indeed, Renault is currently at the heart of a process of streamlining its activities and refocusing around Red Bull in order to give its best customer and partner the opportunity to climb the global hierarchy. It is therefore ready to forgo the revenue estimated at just under 29 million euros per season to be in optimal conditions to serve Red Bull.

Rémi Taffin, the head of operations for the engine manufacturer, stated to Autosport: “If we have three teams next year, we will have less revenue from our customers, but not to the point that it would jeopardize our commitment to do what we need to do next year or the following year. If necessary, Renault will compensate for this and is even willing to go beyond to help Renault Sport get back to the top. I don’t think it would affect our operations.”

Now remains to finalize the early termination agreement of the contract, which should not pose any problems since it’s a win-win for both parties involved as Mercedes was about to lose a client with McLaren’s switch to Honda starting next year.

Once made official, this breakup would mark the end of one of the longest partnerships in F1 history since Renault had powered the Enstone team uninterrupted since 1995 and Michael Schumacher’s second championship, including the French engines rebranded as Playlife from 1998 to 2000.

From our special correspondent in Silverstone