Team Lotus has been linked to a tie-up deal with British sports car specialist manufacturer Caterham, with an announcement about a takeover possible as early as next week.
The team has scheduled a press conference for next week, although it would not confirm any further details. In its announcement, the team stated that the media event would be "an incredibly exciting announcement about the future of the team."
AUTOSPORT reports that Team Lotus could be on the verge of a takeover of Caterham, which would provide obvious marketing and technical opportunities between the F1 operation and the road car business. Such a link could also give the F1 team another option in terms of a future brand name, if it opts to move away from the "Team Lotus" moniker as a result of the ongoing dispute with Group Lotus.
Next week's press event will also likely come before there is any firm answer from the British courts about the Lotus naming rights dispute. It had originally been hoped that the judge could issue his verdict as early as this week, but sources suggest that there will now be a delay for several weeks – meaning the issue will not be settled until next month.