The Lotus F1 Team isn’t for sale according to CEO Matthew Carter, following speculation it is being lined up for a potential takeover by Renault.
The French engine manufacturer is evaluating its future in the sport and is yet to decide between pulling out completely, or increasing its presence through a customer team.
If it were to choose the latter, Toro Rosso and Lotus are the likely targets for a takeover.
Whilst the former is open to a takeover, Lotus isn’t, with Carter insisting the team isn’t for sale, despite reports it is struggling financially.
“I know that Renault are evaluating their role within F1 at the moment,” he said. “I think they are, from a fairly high level, trying to decide whether they just make engines, whether they pull out of the sport altogether or whether they look at a works team.
“However, my shareholders have said quite specifically the team isn’t for sale,” he added.
“There’s a famous quote that everything’s for sale at a price but certainly our shareholders have told me they don’t want to sell the team, they don’t want to give up their majority interest in the team.”
