Heikki Kovalainen, Caterham Seven, Duxford, 2011
Lotus team principal Tony Fernandes says he wants to use his company`s takeover of Caterham to build affordable sports cars using F1 technology.
Fernandes said Caterham will profit from increased exposure through Formula 1.
Speaking at the declaration of the hand at the Duxford aviation museum Fernandes said Lotus will "make Formula 1 accessible through Caterham".
He said: "There will be much of dissimilar types of racing we`ll be doing to leave our fans and Caterham fans to make an experience.
"We`ll obviously be using the technology that Mike [Gascoyne] and his team have got to put into Caterham cars. We will experience some new models."
He added: "My aim would be, at some stage, to make a common brand. I believe that both make their aspirations.
"As to the way, shape and make some will be hooked on the legal case, some will look on how it looks and feels, and I`ll ask the scene of the fans as well.
"So it`s all to play. But at least we`ve got something to meet with, which is the objective. As to the eventual shape and frame of this team, I don`t love to be honest."
Fernandes said developing road cars was always part of the team`s plans:
"When we started this Formula 1 journey we ever wanted to manufacture cars. We ever thought Formula 1 produced a fantastic platform to do that.
"Unfortunately the gods conspired against us. Obviously we wanted to go with Group Lotus but that hasn`t happened.
"But it`s curious how life has a way of sorting itself out and things end up still better than what you first imagined."
He added that Caterham "has a singular position at the spirit of motoring world."
Fernandes said: "The parallels between my original life at Air Asia, where we set up a new brand, and what we bear with Caterham is uncanny. When I took over Air Asia they had 200 staff, there are approximately 200 staff in Caterham.
"The parallels of building something that will be reaching a much bigger market is something we`re really excited about."
2011 F1 season
- Qualifying well still important - Renault
- Lotus deal "a dream come true" - Caterham boss
- Turkish GP too expensive for locals, says Webber
- Ecclestone prepared to give Bahrain until June to settle on race
- Hamilton: tyre conservation key in Turkey
- Fernandes: Group Lotus did their best to ruin us
- Fernandes wants "common brand" between Lotus and Caterham
- Lotus confirms purchase of Caterham
- Vettel's title defence off to a successful start
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