It would be another embarrassing blow for Formula One if Lotus collapsed after two teams – Marussia and Caterham – went into administration just 11 months ago.
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Franz Tost, team principal of the Toro Rosso team which uses Renault engines, said he was unsure if the French manufacturer would fulfil the supply deal to the end of 2016 as contracted, and was keenly awaiting the resolution of the Lotus situation.
“It is to be regarded as a final adjournment”, the judge, who agreed to delay the start of his holidays for the sake of continuity, told the hearing at the Chancery Division of the London High Court.
But he added, it would be the last time he would grant an adjournment.
The court heard that West Oxfordshire District Council, in whose area the 400-strong team has its Enstone factory, were owed 483,000 pounds but had submitted a letter supporting the request for adjournment.
They argued that over £900k of income tax and national insurance contributions are due on 22 September, the team having failed to pay similar amounts in July and August.
Lotus and Renault have, though, managed to convince Justice Birrs the deal is close to being concluded, and for an administration order to be granted now would not only threaten the deal, but also place over 400 jobs at risk.
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Granting the adjournment, the judge said that: “The parties have satisfied me that that there is genuinely a real prospect that the first stage of the deal that is being described will be signed in the next seven days which will allow significant funding to go into the company”.
