Oct.9 (GMM) Team boss Eric Boullier has confirmed that Renault plans to change its name for the 2012 season.

With there currently being a team called Team Lotus competing against Group Lotus-sponsored Renault, the parties have been seeking a solution.

It appears the plans are for Team Lotus to adopt the name of owner Tony Fernandes' carmaker Caterham for next season, with Renault becoming the sole Lotus.

But name changes are not encouraged in F1, meaning that the proposal will need to be approved by the sport's F1 Commission.

It is believed some teams, like Sauber who were called BMW-Sauber long after the German marque's withdrawal, expressed caution when asked to approve the Lotus solution.

"Name changes aren't something that should be encouraged," agreed FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh.

"But if you've got two Lotus names in formula one it strikes me that isn't desirable, it's not what people really need or want in the sport," the McLaren boss told Reuters.

Boullier is confident the matter will be resolved by the time of the World Motor Sport Council's December meeting.

"It's just two team name changes at the same time and some people want to make sure it's done with the right process and the right purpose. That's it, nothing else," he said.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version