Lotus locked out of hospitality, freight delayed

Lotus face being locked out of their hospitality tent for the entirety of the Japanese Grand Prix with their money problems coming to a head in Suzuka.

Some of the freight for this weekend’s race, including the pool of Mercedes engines, only arrived in the paddock shortly after lunch on Thursday.

Palmer, who completed only one lap in Friday’s opening rain-hit practice session, is pictured sitting on the floor holding a packet of Doritos.

With Renault’s proposed takeover of Lotus still having not gone through, and fresh trouble for the Enstone-based team after freight delays, Grosjean suggested in Japan that he was getting ever more comfortable with what he was going to do. “Look at Spa, we had bailiffs in the garage and we ended up on the podium”, he said.

The team, who will make their debut in 2016, are in partnership with Ferrari and Grosjean is reportedly eyeing a race seat with the Italian team the following year.

French driver Romain Grosjean is the leading candidate to be join the new U.S.-owned Haas Formula One team.

“It is a situation which is very tricky”.

Coincidentally Grosjean, who had to perform his media duties holding an umbrella in the rain, said his future would “probably” be confirmed next week.

“There is no deadline but it should arrive sooner rather than later”, he said.

Lotus are hoping to be taken over by Renault, their former owners, but the talks have dragged on and the team has had to fend off court cases and attempts to put them into administration. “You can always change your mind but as I said I think I’m pretty pleased with my choice”.