Robert Kubica could be about to find himself free of his Renault contract, while Mike Gascoyne questions Group Lotus' F1 strategy.
Group Lotus is reportedly looking to get involved with the Enstone based team in a EUR 60 million deal that could involve the outfit being renamed Lotus-Renault in 2011 and beyond.
With the French carmaker Renault SA's involvement also reportedly changing, the situation could have knock-on effects for a range of existing team contracts, a report in Autosprint claims.
One of those contracts could be that of highly-rated Polish driver Kubica, who reportedly "would be free to choose another team".
On his hand, Mike Gascoyne has questioned Group Lotus' apparent intention to enter formula one next year in collaboration with the Renault team.
Mike Gascoyne is the technical boss at the team currently known as Lotus Racing, but the official naming license has been revoked by Group Lotus for 2011 and beyond.
This year's Lotus Racing cars have also run with branding of the Group Lotus owner Proton, but Gascoyne's boss Tony Fernandes is reportedly dismayed the sports car maker did not embrace the opportunity to tie up with his team, which will use Renault engines in 2011.
And Mike Gascoyne is now confused about the reports linking Group Lotus with a three-year EUR 60 million title sponsorship of Renault F1.
"If they want to advertise their road cars, why spend so much money on it? With us, they could do it free of charge," the Briton is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.
The German report said Group Lotus is currently running at a loss, meaning it is essentially subsidised by Malaysian tax-payers due to its Proton ownership.
"The cynic might say they are going to blow away taxpayer money in formula one," said Auto Motor und Sport.
Source: Auto123
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