Team Lotus: “Delighted that we were successful”

A statement from Team Lotus tonight said that the organisation was happy with the outcome of today’s very short court proceedings in London.

The judge denied an application by Group Lotus for a summary judgement – a quick solution to the dispute over the termination of last year’s licensing agreement – and also brought forward the date for the main trial regarding the Lotus name from the end of the year to March 21. The one certainty now is that Team Lotus will start the season under its intended name, with no chance of any legal interference before then.

The latest statement reads as follows:

“Team Lotus is delighted that we were successful at the Summary Judgment Application hearing today and that the Judge threw out Group Lotus’ application even before hearing the arguments of the barristers on either side.

“Although this decision was never in doubt, it means that we start the 2011 season under the Team Lotus name. Whilst we expected that the Judge would refuse this application, it is good to have the decision in black and white.

“The Judge also felt that it was in everyone’s best interests to bring the hearing date for the full trial forward and that is now fixed for 21st March rather than us having to wait until Autumn 2011 or even later. We remain confident that we will succeed at the full trial and we can now focus on the challenges ahead in the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship.”

Meanhile on his Twitter feed Tony Fernandes said: “The good do always eventually win…”