Uncertainty still hanging over Lotus

Oct.9 (GMM) Renault has signed a letter of intent, but that does not mean life at Lotus suddenly became comfortable.

The Enstone team refuted rumours that it was locked out of its hospitality area at Sochi earlier this week, but a source told us: "Some of our equipment arrived late.

"We're here, we're ready to race."

Romain Grosjean, who decided to quit Lotus even though there is the chance it will become the new works Renault team, said the wait for certainty simply went on too long.

"First I heard it (the Renault deal) was going to be in Monaco, then it was the summer, and then (Haas team boss) Gunther Steiner called me.

"I have said many times that if Renault had decided sooner, I definitely would have stayed," the Frenchman said in an interview with f1news.ru.

Signed up to stay at Enstone next year is Pastor Maldonado, but he admitted at Sochi that he is not sure if he will be wearing black and gold or yellow overalls.

"Who knows?" said the Venezuelan, who is backed by the powerful sponsor PDVSA. "It is difficult to say anything more about it.

"Negotiations are continuing," he added. "Earlier in the season it seemed that everything would be easier, but the process is delayed.

"Maybe everything will be decided soon, but who knows?"