Lotus LMP1 Team Set for Name Change

Photo: John Dagys

The Lotus name will no longer be in the LMP1 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship, with the German-based team set to run under a new banner in 2015.

According to a report on German website, Motorsport-Total, the team, which debuted its new CLM P1/01 AER car this year, will now compete as ByKolles, as part of a refocused effort for the privateer LMP1 squad.

A single-car entry full-season entry will again be submitted for the FIA WEC, with improvements to the car underway, including a redesign of the rear axle and switch from Hewland to Xtrac gearboxes.

Additionally, Motorsport-Total reports ByKolles could make the switch from Michelin to Dunlop tires, as the British tire manufacturer is set to re-enter the LMP1 ranks this year.

Pierre Kaffer, who drove the CLM P1/01 in four of the five rounds it entered this year, is understood to be on the short list of drivers who could return.

It would see the German pilot undertake a dual championship program, as he was announced Thursday as returning to the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship with Risi Competizione.

The ex-Lotus team joins Rebellion Racing as confirmed LMP1 privateers for 2015. While still competing for a separate end-of-year FIA Trophy, the non-hybrid cars will no longer be classified separately, as was the case last year with LMP1-H and LMP1-L.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John