Lotus keen for Renault deal as bailiffs move in

Such sanctions are very rare in Formula 1 but Grosjean was a repeat offender – it was his sixth first-lap incident of the 2012 season, with another accident occurring on the second lap. We’ve had to scrimp and scrape for parts, and to get the parts on the track is a massive effort each week, so to be on the podium is unbelievable for everyone here and back at Enstone.

Going into Friday’s practice, the team had reason to be optimistic as they have since ended the relationship with Renault and switched to the class leading Mercedes PU106B power unit.

With the case ongoing as it goes through an arbitration court, a court order meant Lotus was unable to take its cars from the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, with bailiffs arriving to enforce the transport ban just hours after Lotus celebrated Romain Grosjean’s unexpected run to third.

“Then we can build on what we have now, build on the chassis we have this year and then try to emulate what we did with Renault in 2005 and 2006 [when they won the world title] – that is what we want to do”.

The grid position provided a rare ray of sunshine for a team whose weekend has been clouded by the threat of having their cars impounded after Sunday’s race.

The Frenchman managed to pick his way through the field during the race, rising up to third place before making his final pit stop. “It was a brilliant qualifying and a brilliant race”.

Speaking to AUTOSPORT, Lotus co-owner Gerard Lopez said he is confident the issue will be resolved ahead of the race.

Although cars from Force India and its predecessor Jordan were often quick at Spa, Perez says the qualifying result is down to the 2015 B-spec car’s progress rather than an inherent suitability to the track. Max Chilton and Ted Kravitz join Anna Woolhouse in the studio at 8:30pm on Wednesday 26 August on Sky Sports F1.