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FIA Commission approve Renault, Lotus and Virgin name changes - The Lotus name change problems should come to an end

Published by Christine

FIA Commission approve Renault, Lotus and Virgin name changes
Credit: Lorenzo Bellanca/LAT Photographic
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Welcome to F1Minute - FIA Commission approve Renault, Lotus and Virgin name changes.

The FIA Commission met in Geneva today to discuss many things, but on the top of their agenda - those pesky Lotus names. It’s been confusing this year with Lotus Renault and Team Lotus Renault on the grid, but in 2012, things should be different. Although it still has to be ratified by the FIA, which should happen later this year, the BBC has today reported that the Commission have approved the name changes to go ahead.

Renault will therefore rebrand their chassis Lotus, and will consider changing the name of the team to the same. Team Lotus will run a Caterham chassis, and will likely drop the Lotus part of their name to match.

Finally, the Virgin Racing chassis will become known as Marussia to match the takeover this season, and at this point in time, it’s unclear if the Virgin brand will remain - although it’s expected they will stay on as a sponsor.

All this and more should be confirmed at the meeting of the World Motorsport Council which will be held on the 7th December this year.