What's with the Lotus post on Instagram?

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WardenOfTheNorth
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What's with the Lotus post on Instagram?

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Title says it all really, are Lotus planning a return to F1?? Maybe buying Alpine??

"From success, you learn absolutely nothing. From failure and setbacks, conclusions can be drawn." - Niki Lauda

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aMessageToCharlie
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Joined: 09 Dec 2020, 14:28

Re: What's with the Lotus post on Instagram?

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Weird...isn't that the Audi livery in the last frame? I don't see how that goes together.

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FW17
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Joined: 06 Jan 2010, 10:56

Re: What's with the Lotus post on Instagram?

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WardenOfTheNorth wrote:
17 Dec 2025, 00:16
Title says it all really, are Lotus planning a return to F1?? Maybe buying Alpine??

Yeah. Christian Horner and Geely have bought the 12th slot in F1. They will be using the current Renault unit with some mods and with the team completely based in China, WRT Christian Horner is moving to Hong Kong.

FOM and teams don't care as Christian Horner is not seeking any price money and will exclusively use non western brands for partnerships and sponsors.

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SiLo
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Re: What's with the Lotus post on Instagram?

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FW17 wrote:
17 Dec 2025, 11:58
WardenOfTheNorth wrote:
17 Dec 2025, 00:16
Title says it all really, are Lotus planning a return to F1?? Maybe buying Alpine??

Yeah. Christian Horner and Geely have bought the 12th slot in F1. They will be using the current Renault unit with some mods and with the team completely based in China, WRT Christian Horner is moving to Hong Kong.

FOM and teams don't care as Christian Horner is not seeking any price money and will exclusively use non western brands for partnerships and sponsors.
Is any of that confirmed or is it all conjecture?
Felipe Baby!

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FW17
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Re: What's with the Lotus post on Instagram?

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SiLo wrote:
17 Dec 2025, 12:24
FW17 wrote:
17 Dec 2025, 11:58
WardenOfTheNorth wrote:
17 Dec 2025, 00:16
Title says it all really, are Lotus planning a return to F1?? Maybe buying Alpine??

Yeah. Christian Horner and Geely have bought the 12th slot in F1. They will be using the current Renault unit with some mods and with the team completely based in China, WRT Christian Horner is moving to Hong Kong.

FOM and teams don't care as Christian Horner is not seeking any price money and will exclusively use non western brands for partnerships and sponsors.
Is any of that confirmed or is it all conjecture?
What do you want it to be?

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SiLo
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Joined: 25 Jul 2010, 19:09

Re: What's with the Lotus post on Instagram?

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FW17 wrote:
17 Dec 2025, 12:53
SiLo wrote:
17 Dec 2025, 12:24
FW17 wrote:
17 Dec 2025, 11:58


Yeah. Christian Horner and Geely have bought the 12th slot in F1. They will be using the current Renault unit with some mods and with the team completely based in China, WRT Christian Horner is moving to Hong Kong.

FOM and teams don't care as Christian Horner is not seeking any price money and will exclusively use non western brands for partnerships and sponsors.
Is any of that confirmed or is it all conjecture?
What do you want it to be?
I want it to be either confirmed or proven false so I can build an informed opinion on it.
Felipe Baby!

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WardenOfTheNorth
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Location: Up North

Re: What's with the Lotus post on Instagram?

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FW17 wrote:
17 Dec 2025, 12:53
SiLo wrote:
17 Dec 2025, 12:24
FW17 wrote:
17 Dec 2025, 11:58


Yeah. Christian Horner and Geely have bought the 12th slot in F1. They will be using the current Renault unit with some mods and with the team completely based in China, WRT Christian Horner is moving to Hong Kong.

FOM and teams don't care as Christian Horner is not seeking any price money and will exclusively use non western brands for partnerships and sponsors.
Is any of that confirmed or is it all conjecture?
What do you want it to be?
I’d like it to be true, but it seems a little far fetched to me.
"From success, you learn absolutely nothing. From failure and setbacks, conclusions can be drawn." - Niki Lauda

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FW17
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Joined: 06 Jan 2010, 10:56

Re: What's with the Lotus post on Instagram?

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SiLo wrote:
17 Dec 2025, 13:54
FW17 wrote:
17 Dec 2025, 12:53
SiLo wrote:
17 Dec 2025, 12:24


Is any of that confirmed or is it all conjecture?
What do you want it to be?
I want it to be either confirmed or proven false so I can build an informed opinion on it.
Nobody has denied it.


An AI generated video popped up some time back

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dren
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Re: What's with the Lotus post on Instagram?

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Horner hired me to be Team Principal. Hasn't been denied.
Honda!

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1158
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Re: What's with the Lotus post on Instagram?

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Rumor is when Horner was asked about it by the media his reply was "Leave me alone I know what I'm doing." Should be noted he was eating ice cream at the time.

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PlatinumZealot
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Re: What's with the Lotus post on Instagram?

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My sources say the engine will a Honda. Horner is of course using his honda connections to make thing easier than going to a new partner. Audi has no interest, neither does Mercedes nor Ferrari. RBT is out for obvious reasons.

He has started building up his consortium of investors. Some serious heavy hitters. And backed by the biggest car maker in China. the board will be tech mogul heavy. Enough to buy the slot.
🖐️✌️☝️👀👌✍️🐎🏆🙏

Racing Green in 2028

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WardenOfTheNorth
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Re: What's with the Lotus post on Instagram?

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PlatinumZealot wrote:
21 Dec 2025, 01:25
My sources say the engine will a Honda. Horner is of course using his honda connections to make thing easier than going to a new partner. Audi has no interest, neither does Mercedes nor Ferrari. RBT is out for obvious reasons.

He has started building up his consortium of investors. Some serious heavy hitters. And backed by the biggest car maker in China. the board will be tech mogul heavy. Enough to buy the slot.
Do a new, 12th, team? Or buying a controlling stake in Alpine?
"From success, you learn absolutely nothing. From failure and setbacks, conclusions can be drawn." - Niki Lauda

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PlatinumZealot
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Joined: 12 Jun 2008, 03:45

Re: What's with the Lotus post on Instagram?

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WardenOfTheNorth wrote:
21 Dec 2025, 15:18
PlatinumZealot wrote:
21 Dec 2025, 01:25
My sources say the engine will a Honda. Horner is of course using his honda connections to make thing easier than going to a new partner. Audi has no interest, neither does Mercedes nor Ferrari. RBT is out for obvious reasons.

He has started building up his consortium of investors. Some serious heavy hitters. And backed by the biggest car maker in China. the board will be tech mogul heavy. Enough to buy the slot.
Do a new, 12th, team? Or buying a controlling stake in Alpine?
Rumoured talks of 12th slot being courted with potential applicants. It would for sure make sense to have a Chinese backed applicant.
🖐️✌️☝️👀👌✍️🐎🏆🙏

Racing Green in 2028

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WardenOfTheNorth
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Joined: 07 Dec 2024, 16:10
Location: Up North

Re: What's with the Lotus post on Instagram?

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PlatinumZealot wrote:
21 Dec 2025, 16:47
WardenOfTheNorth wrote:
21 Dec 2025, 15:18
PlatinumZealot wrote:
21 Dec 2025, 01:25
My sources say the engine will a Honda. Horner is of course using his honda connections to make thing easier than going to a new partner. Audi has no interest, neither does Mercedes nor Ferrari. RBT is out for obvious reasons.

He has started building up his consortium of investors. Some serious heavy hitters. And backed by the biggest car maker in China. the board will be tech mogul heavy. Enough to buy the slot.
Do a new, 12th, team? Or buying a controlling stake in Alpine?
Rumoured talks of 12th slot being courted with potential applicants. It would for sure make sense to have a Chinese backed applicant.
Fingers crossed. I'm not a fan of Horner, but I'm all for more teams on the grid!!
"From success, you learn absolutely nothing. From failure and setbacks, conclusions can be drawn." - Niki Lauda