Team Lotus name and logo stays same for now

Speculation reported on Friday about the future of Team Lotus’ identity might have been wide of the mark.

The Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat said Tony Fernandes’ outfit will probably be renamed Caterham Team AirAsia for 2012, with the Lotus logos to be dropped as soon as the forthcoming Italian grand prix at Monza.

But a subsequent report by correspondent Heikki Kulta admitted that some of the information "turned out to be false".

Team Lotus, locked this year in a bitter naming and court dispute with Renault sponsor Group Lotus, will apparently maintain its current signage for now.

The 2011 team gear is also not changing, with spokesman Tom Webb clarifying that the only change for Monza will be the uniforms worn by staff when they are travelling.

Webb also said that the interpretation that changes mean a settlement has been reached with Group Lotus is wrong.

He said there is no requirement for Team Lotus to drop its current name either this year or in 2012.