Team Lotus and Group Lotus court date set for March

The highly anticipated court hearing between Team Lotus of Tony Fernandes and Group Lotus has been set for 21 March, although The Malaysian backed team that competed in 2010 as Lotus Racing will now be free to use the 'Team Lotus' name for what seems to be the remainder of the 2011 season.

A press release by the joyous Team Lotus camp says:
"Team Lotus is delighted that we were successful at the Summary Judgment Application hearing today and that the Judge threw out Group Lotus' application even before hearing the arguments of the barristers on either side.

Although this decision was never in doubt, it means that we start the 2011 season under the Team Lotus name. Whilst we expected that the Judge would refuse this application, it is good to have the decision in black and white.

The Judge also felt that it was in everyone's best interests to bring the hearing date for the full trial forward and that is now fixed for 21st March rather than us having to wait until Autumn 2011 or even later. We remain confident that we will succeed at the full trial and we can now focus on the challenges ahead in the 2011 FIA Formula One™ World Championship."