Monza looks set to be another challenging weekend for Lotus.
After the court bailiff saga of Spa-Francorchamps, reports on Wednesday suggested smoother times are ahead now for the Enstone team, as its transporters had arrived at the Autodromo Nazionale for the Italian grand prix.
But until the black trucks rolled into Monza’s gates, Lotus was conspicuous in its absence, as every other team was already setting up.
Insiders report that the team, struggling for money as Pastor Maldonado’s nervous backers at PDVSA are reportedly holding back a payment, only arrived at lunchtime on Wednesday.
It is said that, in London, a group of creditors is set to present new claims at the High Court on Friday, which could mean a return to the F1 paddock for bailiffs.
Another rumour is that key components, supplied by disgruntled third parties, are missing at Monza, meaning that Lotus is targeting simply attending the event rather than properly racing, as it waits for Renault’s buyout decision.