Aerolab rubbishes data-passing reports

Lotus's wind-tunnel model has been designed by Fondtech, a parent company to Aerolab, the aerodynamic engineering firm that worked with the Force India team until September this year.

Both Fondtech and former Force India technical chief Mike Gascoyne are working on the Lotus team, which will make its Formula 1 return next year.

Sources suggested that Force India's senior management have been alarmed by the similarities between its old car and the Lotus's wind-tunnel model, of which the team released pictures last month.

Aerolab, however, has moved to deny any suggestions that it passed on car-design information to Lotus.

Furthermore, the company said it is taking legal action against Force India for "serious and persistent breaches of contract".

"It is quite unusual for us to comment on negative matters but we have been given no other choice but to make public the facts after press reports in recent days suggested that Aerolab has passed on information to parent company Fondtech which enjoys a close technical relationship with Lotus F1 Racing," said Aerolab's managing director Jean-Claude Migeot.

"These rumours are designed only to tarnish the company's reputation and professionalism and to divert attention away from the facts.

"The truth is that Aerolab is suing Force India for not fulfilling its obligations."

Aerolab said its legal case was still pending and subject to review.