Team Lotus boss Tony Fernandes said he was overjoyed after his team secured 10th place in the constructors' championship for the second year in a row. The result means the team, which will race as Caterham next season, will get a financial boost thanks to its performance over the past two seasons.
Fernandes also said he was delighted to have Heikki Kovalainen finish ahead of a Renault in today's race in Brazil, the Finn coming home in 16th place, just in front of Bruno Senna, who had a troubled event. Lotus Renault will be renamed Team Lotus next year after a long battle over the name with Fernandes, who said he was glad to prove "good guys do win."
"Almost tears for me today! I am absolutely overjoyed," said Fernandes. "Two years of hard work have paid off today and it was great to see both cars home safely, helping us win 10th place. The icing on the cake was beating a Renault – that meant a lot to me as I have always said the good guys do win.
"We have a fantastic little team here. Now we look forward to our new life as Caterham F1 Team and we say goodbye to Team Lotus. Colin [Chapman], we hope we did you proud and we hope you keep an eye over us as Caterham F1 Team. We know we will do you proud there as well."