Lotus to run with Mercedes engines in 2015

The superiority of Mercedes in the current Formula 1 season have made it clear: Mercedes is clearly ahead of the other teams in Formula technologically. Not only do the two Silver Arrows lead Formula 1 by a wide margin for the entire 2014 season, but the Williams team, which is also equipped with Mercedes engines, currently finds itself ahead of Ferrari in 3rd place in the constructors' and team rankings, respectively.

Lotus, on the other hand, has fallen far behind this season from 2013 to 2014. Romain Grosjean was seen on the podium again and again in 2013, but he scored just 8 points in 2014 and the team is lagging behind. It is therefore easy to understand why Lotus was looking for a change and a new partner.

Now, the Lotus F1 Team announces highly officially that it has entered into a long-term partnership with Mercedes AMG HPP - until the end of the current power unit - and Lotus will be equipped with Mercedes AMG power units from the 2015 season.

Commenting on the new agreement, Lotus F1 Team CEO Matthew Carter said, "We are very pleased to have agreed a long-term partnership with Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP). We intend to return to the top of the driver field with the goal of winning Grand Prix races. This agreement is a step in that direction. The Mercedes-Benz Power Unit has shown a strong performance on track and we now want to combine this with the Enstones chassis."

Andy Cowell, Managing Director of Mercedes AMG HPP, commented: "We are delighted to welcome Lotus F1 Team as a Mercedes AMG HPP customer. We are confident that Lotus will move forward again with us."

Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, also commented on the deal: "It was strategically important for Mercedes-Benz to supply three customers with the current generation power units in addition to the primary focus on the Silver Arrows. Therefore, it was clear that we were looking for a new customer for 2015. We are pleased to have won Lotus as a part of the Mercedes family and look optimistically to the future of building a productive and powerful collaboration together in the years to come."

We wish Lotus that they will succeed in taking the step forward in 2015.