Lotus F1 team lost £57m prior to Renault takeover
The Lotus F1 team posted a loss of £57m in 2015 prior to the takeover by Renault, newly released accounts indicate.
That represents a massive change from 2014, when the company lost £5.8m.
The Enstone team operated under its previous identity until almost the end of the 2015 calendar year, as the deal to sell it to Renault subsidiary Grigny (UK) Limited was completed on December 18, for a consideration of £1.
The name was formally changed to Renault on February 3.
Last year, turnover fell by £36.3m from £114.7m in 2014 to £78.4m, which the team says "relates predominantly to a reduction in sponsorship for the year."
Meanwhile, cost of sales fell by £11m as the team reined in spending, a number that "recognises the difficult season and associated budgetary constraints faced by the company during the year up until the takeover in December 2015."
The team has highlighted a "positive movement in shareholders funds of £76.1m," which "represents the capitalisation of existing company loans upon Renault SA's acquisition and the waiver of interest related to those loans and other inter company creditors."
In an overview of its position, the team says "the company's strategy for 2016 is to reconstruct the company with the right level of spend, investment and new working practices to reflect Renault's long term sporting ambitions and strict business plan.
"On track, improved performance is expected to be achieved in the second half of the season. However, due to the handicap resulting from the lack of development during the 2015 season, the team do not expect to improve upon the prior year's championship position."
Renault's 2017-18 engine supply deals with Red Bull and Toro Rosso are cited as a key part of the French manufacturer's ongoing commitment to the sport.
The accounts reveal that the average number of employees at Enstone in 2015 was 475, which was actually up from 464 the previous year.
The team also owns 46 historic cars, of which nine are "loaned to sponsors and technical partners on a contractual basis," while 24 are at Enstone and 13 at an off-site storage facility.
Share Or Save This Story
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
The Lotus 72 was "an extension of my body," Emerson Fittipaldi reveals
Romain Grosjean turns 40 – here’s his career in 10 key moments
Ayrton Senna's 1986 Lotus F1 car hits auction for eight-figure estimate
Marcin Budkowski spoke to 'over half' the F1 grid before choosing Cadillac
Josh Berry has momentum but no 2027 NASCAR contract yet
Graeme Lowdon's shock Cadillac exit wasn't a "mutual decision" - Dan Towriss
Ty Gibbs’s crew chief says practice runs proved viability of bold two-tire calls
Top 10 rookie seasons in F1
Why F1 shouldn’t be hiding its most interesting characters
100 not out: Alex Albon on Williams’s desire to atone for its 2026 struggles
Why it will “take years” for Cadillac to reach the level F1 rivals are operating at
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments