Cash-strapped Lotus locked out in Japan

The British-based constructor face an uncertain future amid mounting money problems, and they were locked out of their hospitality tent on Thursday.

Amidst it all, driver Romain Grosjean held his own umbrella as – without a hospitality unit to house the assembled media – he conducted his press duties in the rain.

A team spokesman said there had been a “slight delay” complicated by the time difference with Europe and well-documented cash-flow problems.

At the Hungarian Grand Prix the team had to miss FP1 due to a payment issue with Pirelli and in Belgium bailiffs arrived outside the garage to stop equipment leaving until a court claim had been settled.

“It does not mean we can’t fight for podiums this weekend”, said Grosjean. It’s just a situation which is very tricky.

“The guys are going to do their best as always”, said the resilient youngster, who is being linked with Haas.

For now, he is suffering with his other colleagues of the Enstone team as it waits to hear if it will be bought out by Renault.

“There is no deadline but it should be done sooner rather than later – in my mind it is done and I am happy”, Grosjean, who hopes an announcement regarding his future will be made next week, said.

As their preparations for Japan were badly hit, Lotus mechanics prepared to burn the midnight oil to set up the cars for Friday’s practice. “The most important thing is that we are ready to race”.

As Lotus’s financial plight worsened last month, bailiffs arrived at the Spa paddock to impound the team’s equipment as their rivals were packing up to go home.

The team is waiting on a possible buyout by Renault, but is due back in court on Monday to continue an adjourned case brought against it by Britain’s tax authority HMRC.