Formula One news

Wind tunnel operator sues Force India

Aerolab, the Italian operator of the wind tunnel which the Force India team uses, has announced that it is to take legal action against the Silverstone-based team for what it has described as 'serious and persistent' breaches of contract.

The 2010 model Lotus, which Force India believes very much resembles their car of this season

The situation dates back to earlier this week, when some media reports had suggested that Force India was worried that the new Lotus F1 outfit, which is working with Fondtech - the parent company of Aerolab - may have copied or used details of the 2009 Force India to help develop the 2010 Lotus.

Speculation has been fuelled further when considering that Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of Lotus, worked with Force India before a management reshuffle took place prior to this season.

"The truth is that Aerolab is suing Force India for not fulfilling its obligations," explains Aerolab Managing Director Jean-Claude Migeot via a statement, according to Reuters. It is also believed that a 3-year deal between Force India and Aerolab came to a rather gloomy and premature conclusion in September.


Related Thursday news: Etihad and Aldar to pay damages to Force India

more news

• 28 Nov.
  • Lola ready to enter Formula 1
  • Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
  • Montreal seals Formula One contract
  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
• 23 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
  • Theissen waiting on entry decision
  • Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation

Homepage