Lotus will end its "long association with Renault" and switch to a Mercedes engine from the '15 season, according to James Galloway of SKY SPORTS. The signing of "what has been termed a 'long-term' agreement for Mercedes' powertrain has been trailed for several months with Lotus effectively replacing McLaren," which is reuniting with Honda, "in the German manufacturer's customer stable next season alongside Williams and Force India." The deal will see Lotus, like Mercedes, "use Petronas fuel although they will continue to design and build their own gearboxes." Lotus F1 CEO Matthew Carter said, "We are pleased to have been chosen by Mercedes AMG High Performance
Powertrains in a significant long term deal. We intend to return to the
front of the field with the goals of winning Grands Prix and being a
strong championship contender once more and we see this new agreement as
one step towards this aim." The announcement means Lotus' "two-decade association with
the French carmaker will end at the end of this year." The partnership
dates back to '95, when the team, "then known as Benetton and with
Michael Schumacher behind the wheel, won both World Championships with
Renault power" (SKY SPORTS, 10/9).
