Force India has started legal action in Britain against rival Formula One team Lotus at Britain’s High Court for illegal use of its “intellectual property” by copying their car’s design.
Force India said in a statement on Wednesday that the action is directed against Lotus’ two parent companies, Italian wind tunnel Aerolab and former Force India designer Michael Gascoyne.
The statement also said that Force India started proceedings against Aerolab in December 2009.
“Force India believes that Lotus Racing, via its use of Aerolab and Fondtech facilities and data, has utilised and benefited from the use of Force India F1 Team’s intellectual property, including components and tyres exclusively licensed by Bridgestone to the Force India F1 Team, on its wind tunnel model design for the current Lotus T127 chassis without permission from the Force India F1 Team.
“Force India states these are very serious claims and therefore it would not be taking such action if it could not provide supportive evidence,” the statement said.
