Lotus will return to Formula One for the first time since 1994 after being named as the 13th team on the grid for 2010.
Norfolk-based team will return in 2010, the FIA confirms
The historic name of Lotus will return to Formula One for the first time since 1994 after being named as the 13th team on the grid for 2010.
The FIA has handed the Malaysian-backed team the final place on the grid ahead of BMW Sauber, despite an 'impressive application' from the latter.
BMW has announced it is pulling out of F1 next year but the Sauber team was hoping to receive backing in time to retain their place on the grid, although they could still step in if a vacancy arises.
"It has awarded BMW Sauber the '14th place' in the championship, meaning that it will be entitled to fill any vacancy that arises on the 2010 grid," the FIA revealed in a statement.
"In addition, the FIA believes that a good case can be made for expanding the grid to 14 teams.
"The FIA will be consulting urgently with the existing teams regarding the introduction of an appropriate rule change to expand the grid to 28 cars in time for the first grand prix in 2010."
Malaysian consortium
Although the Lotus team is based in Norfolk, it is funded by a partnership between the Malaysian Government and a consortium of Malaysian entrepreneurs, spearheaded by team principal Tony Fernandes, who is the founder and CEO of the Malaysian-based Tune Group, owner of the Air Asia airline.
Mike Gascoyne also returns to F1 as the team's technical director, with 20 years experience in the sport after working with Jordan, Renault, Toyota, and most recently Force India.
The team will use the RTN facility in Norfolk, which was built by Toyota for its initial Formula One programme and then used by Bentley for its successful Le Mans programme.
However, the team's future design, research and development, manufacturing and technical centre will be purpose built at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit.
Lotus, who used eight different engine suppliers during their previous 37-year stint in the sport, have agreed a deal with Cosworth.
The team contested 491 grands prix, winning 79 en route to seven constructors' titles, helping Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt, Emerson Fittipaldi and Mario Andretti become world champions.
Ayrton Senna drove their car for three years from 1985 but by the beginning of the next decade they were uncompetitive and left the grid in 1994.
