2015 Russian GP: Lotus locked out at Sochi

London, England - Lotus' travelling staff are once again locked out of the struggling team's designated paddock building ahead of the2015  Russian grand prix.

Amid the Enstone team's obvious financial trouble as negotiations with Renault continue, staff had no access to the Lotus-reserved hospitality tent at the Japanese GP at Suzuka recently because the bill was not paid.

Renault close to purchasing Lotus

Now, as the other F1 teams happily set up in the Sochi paddock, the same situation is unfolding.

That is despite the fact that Renault has signed a letter of intent to buy Lotus in the next few weeks.

Lotus deputy Federico Gastaldi said :"It looks like we're engaged to be married again, which is positive for the sport and positive for Enstone."

But it is not yet positive for those wearing black and gold uniforms in the paddock ahead of the Russian GP.

Indeed, one source said there was no sign of any activity whatsoever from Lotus' closed hospitality area or even the garage late on Tuesday (October 6).

Later, team staff were spotted sitting on the ground or utilising a plastic garden table outside the locked paddock facilities.