A statement released by Lotus has gone some way to allay any fears that Proton’s parent company were preparing to pull the plug on the group, as well as confirming the position of CEO Dany Bahar in the firm.

“Despite various rumours in the media to the contrary, at no point has DRB-Hicom indicated to Group Lotus that they intend to put the company into administration and we welcome the opportunity to put that rumour along with incorrect speculation that production has stopped, that Dany Bahar is no longer CEO and that we are no longer involved in F1 to bed.