Lotus car company moves into F1 feeder series

Formula One's GP2 feeder series will have rival Lotus-backed teams racing against each other next season.

Lotus Motorsport, part of the Malaysian-owned car company, said in a statement they would be providing technical and engineering support "for the foreseeable future" to championship winners ART in GP2 and GP3.

ART team manager Frederic Vasseur added: "The goal is clear: winning together the future GP2 and GP3 championships. I can''t wait to see the new livery of our racing cars."

The separate Lotus Racing Formula One team is run by Malaysian aviation entrepreneur Tony Fernandes, who will also be entering GP2 with a new Team Air Asia.

"Team Air Asia... is a new team built on a strong relationship with a current Formula One team presided (over) by Tony Fernandes," series organiser Bruno Michel said in a statement.

"The seriousness of their presentation, their ambition and their worldwide project were really appealing and in line with what we expect from all our teams. We are very happy to welcome an Asian team to our paddock."

Recent media reports have indicated Lotus Racing will be rebranded as Team Lotus next season, reviving the original name of one of the most successful operations in Formula One history.

That name is not owned by Lotus Cars.

Founded by the late Colin Chapman, Team Lotus won seven constructors' titles between 1963 and 1978 before folding in 1994 with the rights to the name bought by David Hunt, brother of Britain's former world champion James.