Lotus resurrects classic livery with new F1 team

The iconic black and gold JPS (John Player Special) livery that graced the Team Lotus F1 cars of such legendary drivers as Ayrton Senna, Emerson Fittipaldi, Mario Andretti, Ronnie Peterson among others throughout the 1970s and early 1980s is set to make a return to grand prix racing in 2011 on cars run by the former Renault team.
Having already sold a majority stake of its F1 operations to Russian-based Genii Capital earlier this year, Renault has now off-loaded its last remaining shares to Group Lotus – the British based car maker which recently stunned the automotive world with the unveiling of no less than five new concept cars at the Paris auto show back in September.
Spelling an end to the Renault’s most recent F1 participation, Genii Capital and Group Lotus have entered into what an official statement describes as a “comprehensive strategic alliance”.
Renault’s place in F1 is secured though, as it will remain an engine supplier to the new team, which has been renamed Lotus Renault GP, as well as this year’s Constructors Championship, Red Bull Racing, and the team that operated under the Lotus name in 2010, setting up the chance that there will be two Lotus teams on the grid in 2011.