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Q & A: Fernandes on 'Team Lotus' deal

Q. Was getting the Team Lotus name always your intention from when you started your Formula 1 project?

Tony Fernandes: Yes, for me it was - but there was no rush because I wanted to use this year to earn respect. There are so many parts of Team Lotus - the Chapman family, David Hunt, the fans, Norfolk - so it is really a deep history. And who was I to come in and say, 'I am Team Lotus'.

So we have done it slowly and surely, and tried to make our actions speak louder than words. I felt that we had come to a point where we were getting very deep in investment and commitment, and I didn't feel comfortable having a licence from someone else. We needed to secure our own future.

We tried to do it at the beginning but I didn't want to force it, because I had never met Clive Chapman before and I didn't really know David Hunt, so I thought we would do it this year. It was in my mind map - and my target was Abu Dhabi, to be honest, but it came together slightly quicker.

Q. There were discussions 12 months ago about getting the Team Lotus name, but it didn't happen. Why did the deal come off this time?

TF: I think partly commercial - because of expectation of price. Partly we didn't know each other and there were questions about what did he own - because that was all hearsay. That has been clarified and we did deep due diligence. And thirdly, he didn't know if we could be trusted with what he has held for 16 years. He is very proud that he has held on to it, he has been very honourable in many ways in not disturbing us as Lotus Racing, so I think those three aspects all came together.

We developed a good relationship, we brought him to races and we didn't push it. We said: 'come and see us and see what you think. You are part of the family'. I think from maybe an antagonistic relationship, he feels very, very comfortable with us.

Q. Can you clarify that the official team name will change?

TF: I think Bernie would like to call it the Team Lotus F1 Team. The chassis will still be Lotus.

Q. So it doesn't require approval for the name change from other teams then?

TF: No, because the chassis is Lotus already. It should be a straightforward thing for the FIA. If I was changing the company then I would have to go to the F1 Commission, but just the name it is not a problem.

Q. There have been a lot of reports this week about friction between Group Lotus and the Lotus F1 team. There are questions over [Lotus CEO] Dany Behar's plans and a possible head-to-head between you two. What is the situation there?

TF: We met Dany in Malaysia recently. Dany wants Group Lotus to be Ferrari, but it isn't. I didn't build it that way - it is the way that Colin Chapman did it. There are two pools of goodwill - there is Team Lotus and Group Lotus. Team Lotus did not build cars, and none of our press statements claim that we built Esprits or built a Lotus Elan. And, Group Lotus doesn't have any racing heritage because it didn't race. Full stop. That is very clear.

I didn't set the company up that way, that is the way it was set up. Ferrari was always as one - so I suppose Dany would like it to be one. That is the feeling I get. But that is not my doing.

Q. But you have a licence at the moment from Group Lotus?

TF: Yes, but we are terminating that licence.

Q. Has that process already begun?

TF: Yes.

Q. So do you view the Lotus Group's plans to get involved in GP2 with ART as a bit of a confrontational bid to blur the brand?

TF: No, I don't think so. Dany went out and wanted to be in racing and we didn't know - and he didn't know we were applying for Team Air Asia. It doesn't make sense and we should try to collaborate and from a business perspective there are a lot of things to sort out at Group Lotus other than setting up a GP2 team.

Q. Will you having the Team Lotus name at least give you some more control over your future?

TF: Yes, of course. That was the main motivation. When you are spending £55 million it is a bit scary if someone else is controlling your own destiny.

Q. Talking of Air Asia, what is the situation regarding you and Williams next year?

TF: We have been given a proposal and we are looking through it. I will take myself out of those negotiations as I am very conflicted, so it will be the independent board that decides. It is not for me.

Q. And what about the sponsorship portfolio for Team Lotus next year?

TF: It is looking good. David Hunt will do some work for us too. He is invigorated, excited to be back in the fold.

Q. And how do you feel the team is coming together for next year - with your engine plans, drivers and car progress?

TF: The feeling is good, but feeling is one thing - results are something else. I am always a little bit cautious. We have put all the necessary blocks in place and we have done everything right, so it is now up to him. I cannot build a fast car - that is not my expertise.

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