Gerard Lopez says he has no plans to sell the Lotus F1 Team, despite expressing an interest to do so last season.
The businessman behind Genii Capital went as far as contacting potential buyers, but says he is pleased with how the team is doing – they finished fourth in the Constructors’ with a single win in 2012.
“When we bought the team we had 75 per cent of the shares, and then we moved to 100 per cent,” Lopez told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I have never wanted to sell the team because for me, for Genii Capital, F1 is a fine platform to develop business. With the sponsors we talk not only of the advertising that goes on the car, but wider business too.”
Lotus has steadily boosted its sponsors during the last season and recently announced a deal with Coca-Cola to promote the company’s ‘Burn’ energy drink.
That, as well as other tie-ups and a potential deal with American giant Honeywell, has put the teams finances in good stead when compared to their rivals.
“We are close to the top teams,” he added. “We are financed by Microsoft, Unilever, and Coca Cola. This demonstrates the value we are recognised [as having]. At the moment we have 547 staff. It’s fine.”
