Lotus to ditch Renault power in 2015

SOCHI, Russia - The Lotus Formula 1 team will switch from Renault to Mercedes power units for the 2015 season as part of a long-term deal, both parties announced ahead of the 2014 Russian GP on Sunday (Oct 12).

The team will effectively take the supply vacated by McLaren, which will start a new partnership with Japanese automaker Honda.

Lotus will continue to design and assemble its own transmissions.

RETURN TO THE FRONT

Lotus chief executive Matthew Carter said: "We intend to return to the front of the field with the goals of winning GP's and being a strong championship contender once more. We see this new agreement as one step towards this aim.

"The Mercedes-Benz power unit has shown good performance on track and it is our goal to marry this motive force to Lotus chassis expertise."

Lotus, a former championship-winning Renault team, has scored eight points in 15 races in 2014 after finishing fourth overall in 2013. Its current drivers are Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado.

Mercedes continues to dominate with its V6 turbo hybrid power unit, winning 12 times and on the verge of wrapping up the 2014 Constructors' title.

Mercedes will also supply power units to Force India and former champion team Williams.

NEW CUSTOMER

Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolff said: "It was strategically important for Mercedes-Benz to continue to supply three customers throughout this generation of power unit, in addition to the primary focus on our Silver Arrows works team.

"It was therefore clear that we would be looking for a new customer from 2015. Lotus F1 Team is an impressive organisation that has delivered competitive on-track performances in recent seasons."

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