Photos: Lewis Hamilton at The BRIT Awards 2011

Lewis Hamilton and his half-brother Nicholas to attend the BRIT music awards at the O2 Arena in London

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Full Lotus court battle set for March 21

A High Court judge has set a March 21 trial date for the Lotus naming dispute, meaning two teams will start the season using the historic name.

Group Lotus had applied for a summary judgement on Monday in the hope its side of the argument would be so conclusive that a decision would be made immediately. However, Mr Justice Peter Smith said all the claims would be settled at a hearing at London's High Court in eight weeks time, the earliest possible date both sides could agree on.

The trial will start on the second Monday after the Bahrain Grand Prix, meaning both teams will turn up at the season opener under Lotus signage and one may have to change its identity midway through the season.

Monday's hearing focused on Group Lotus' decision to withdraw Team Lotus' naming rights, but the full trial will deal with further issues of breach of contract and Group Lotus' use of Lotus' F1 history, which Team Lotus' says it owns.

The whole issue stems from Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar's decision to end his company's naming rights deal with Tony Fenrandes' Team Lotus (which was in place before Bahar joined in 2009) and sponsor a more established team instead. That prompted Fernandes to buy the naming rights to the original Team Lotus, which had been dormant since 1994 and were owned by David Hunt.

Group Lotus believes it has the sole right to use the Lotus brand in Formula One, while Fernandes is confident he has bought the separate Team Lotus brand from Hunt. Due to the complexities of the case it is very difficult to predict when a final decision will be reached, and if there are grounds for appeal it is almost certain it will rumble on.

Source: ESPNF1

Lotus dispute to hit High Court next week

Time is running out for the Lotus naming dispute to be solved before it hits London’s High Court.

Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar said on Monday that he thinks the branding debacle, with the entirely separate Team Lotus also intending to use the name this season, will be "solved" before British legal action kicks off.

But it has emerged that the court hearings are scheduled to commence next week, after both sides appointed lawyers.

On January 24 (Monday), the High Court will hear Group Lotus’ application for a summary judgement - a ruling that would not require a subsequent trial.

Chief executive Riad Asmat said Team Lotus is pushing ahead for the 2011 season with no plans for a further rebranding.

"We know we are Team Lotus, so it’s really not an issue for us," he told the BBC. "It (the dispute) is what it is.

"We have a five-year plan. It’s unfortunate they (Group Lotus) decided to go their own way for reasons which to me are trivial."

Asmat also played down Bahar’s comments on Monday about the matter being solved amicably before the court action begins.

"We haven’t heard anything from them - we haven’t talked to them recently," he revealed.

Source: Nextgen

Ecclestone injured in London mugging

MUGGERS punched and kicked Bernie Ecclestone to the ground as they grabbed a £200,000 haul from the Formula One boss and his Brazilian girlfriend

The pint-size billionaire, 80, was rushed to hospital with a head injury after the ambush - on his doorstep.

Four robbers were lying in wait at 10.30pm as he and new love Fabiana Flosi, 31, arrived at the F1 tycoon's central London HQ, where he has a spectacular eighth-floor penthouse overlooking Hyde Park.

Terrified lawyer Fabiana - who is also a sports marketing agent and model - watched helplessly as her mega-rich boyfriend was battered. Both were ordered to remove watches and jewellery.

Cops raced to the Knightsbridge HQ of the tycoon's business empire Formula One Holdings but the gang had fled with the loot.

Mr Ecclestone was taken to hospital where he was treated for what was described as a "minor" injury. Hours later he was defiantly back at work.

A red mark was visible on his right hand as his chauffeur dropped him at a meeting yesterday.

Fabiana was described as having been left "shaken".

Scotland Yard's Robbery Squad was last night hunting the muggers, whose haul included diamond rings. The same gang is feared to be behind a string of attacks on the rich and famous.

A senior police source said: "There can be little doubt this was a targeted robbery because of who Mr Ecclestone is.

The muggers were callous and showed little regard for the victims. They need to be caught."

Mr Ecclestone last year divorced his wife Slavica, 53. The couple have two grown-up daughters. As well as his penthouse and a string of properties around the world he has kept the family's £10million mansion in Chelsea Square.

Four years ago thieves swooped after he parked a brand new Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG outside. The car - said to be the first in Britain - had two of its wheels nicked.

Source: The Sun

[Photos] Button on London triathlon

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Button completes London triathlon

Jenson Button overcame a bout of tonsillitis to finish the London Triathlon on Sunday.

The reigning world champion completed the Olympic-distance course in Docklands, consisting of a 1500-metre swim, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run, in 2:14:15.

His time was seven minutes slower than his attempt last year, but the McLaren driver admitted he had been suffering with illness.

"I wasn't feeling very well at the start of the week, which is why I have come in a bit slower than last time round," Button said. "I really didn't want to miss out on the weekend, though, as I had such a fantastic time here last year, so I just decided to battle through it."

Source: ESPNF1

Jenson Button interview Westfield boutique London

Following our Jenson Button Contest early July, watch the exclusive interviews with Jenson Button at the Westfield boutique in London.

Source: TAGHeuerOnline's Channel

Mark Webber pit stops Red Bull Formula 1 car in London

Source: NextgenAutoVideos

[Video] Lotus 2010 launch in London