F1: Lotus close to sorting Mercedes switch

Lotus says only final paperwork issues with Renault are preventing it from confirming its switch to Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 engines for 2015.

AUTOSPORT revealed back in July that Lotus had agreed terms to switch power units next season after a difficult campaign with Renault. But since then there has been no official word about the change, even though it is understood that technical preparations are already under way with the German car manufacturer.

Lotus's deputy technical director Federico Gastaldi insisted in Japan that the delay in announcing its engine plans is not a sign of trouble, and that things should be completed imminently. "We are hoping to do that as soon as possible," he said. "We are still working on it, but we haven't done it because it is not finished. We are working in that direction.

"It is paperwork with Renault more than anything. We need to respect the contract with them – and whenever they are ready we will be ready."

When asked if there were any doubts about the Mercedes deal, Gastaldi replied: "There is no doubt. It is just a reality: at the moment we are trying to find the way to put things together to make an announcement."