Lotus F1 close to signing with Mercedes?
It's been several months since the agreement between Lotus and Mercedes has been anticipated for the next season, without any official confirmation since. According to Federico Gastaldi, it's just a matter of paperwork issues that should be resolved very soon.
Disappointed to note the deficiencies of their Renault power unit, and impressed by Mercedes’ performances this season, Lotus reportedly decided last summer to opt for a German engine in 2015. Since then, the paddock is still waiting for the lease to be officially confirmed; and it didn’t take much to think that the team’s financial troubles were causing this delay.
But Federico Gastaldi, questioned by Autosport, insisted on setting the record straight: simple administrative issues are still holding Lotus back. « It’s more a matter of paperwork with Renault than anything else. We have to respect the contract with them – and when they are ready, we will be too. There is no doubt. It’s just the reality: at the moment we are trying to find a way to coordinate everything properly to make an announcement. »
Federico Gastaldi hopes to finalize the contract as soon as possible. In all likelihood, the official announcement of the partnership between Lotus and Mercedes should be made in the coming weeks – or even in the coming days.
