6 Nov 2010

Renault to supply Lotus next season

10:48 am on 6 November 2010

The French manufacturer Renault will supply engines to the renamed Lotus Racing as well as championship leaders Red Bull and their own Formula One team next year.

Malaysian-owned Lotus Racing have used Cosworth engines on the marque's return to the sport this season but the former Team Lotus raced with Renault from 1983 to 1986 when the late Brazilian Ayrton Senna drove for them.

They have yet to score a point but are still the most successful of the season's three new entrants and intend to revert to their illustrious predecessors' name of Team Lotus from next season, depending on the outcome of a court case.

Renault say the deal was for the next two years, the same length as the Red Bull contract.

Red Bull have used Renault engines since 2007 and have won seven of the 17 races so far this season. They lead McLaren in the constructors' standings by 27 points with two races left.

Renault join Mercedes, Ferrari and Cosworth in supplying three teams each.