Lotus face-off to happen in March

At a summary judgment hearing in the High Court on Monday, Mr Justice Peter Smith urged both parties - Group Lotus and 1Malaysia Racing Team, otherwise known as Team Lotus - to attempt to settle the matter out of court.

If no resolution is reached a case will then be heard on March 21, sandwiched between the opening two grands prix of the season in Bahrain and Australia, and will likely last around 10 days.

It had been anticipated that a trial would not occur until towards the end of the season, potentially even at some stage next winter.

Mr Justice Smith's decision left lawyers for both sides apparently stunned, although Formula One is none the wiser as to who will end up the winner in this ongoing feud.

The issue is on two fronts, with 1Malaysia claiming Group Lotus illegally terminated a five-year licencing deal for them to run as Lotus Racing, the name under which they competed in F1 last year.

1Malaysia, fronted by owner and team principal Tony Fernandes, are also insisting they can legally run under the Team Lotus name this season.

Fernandes claims he bought the rights to use the famous moniker from former owner David Hunt, brother of 1976 world champion James.

Assessing the case, Mark Daniels, an intellectual property lawyer at Browne Jacobson, said: "Team Lotus will be buoyed by this news.

"But it remains far from clear as to whether its claim will ultimately be successful. The barrier for a claim overcoming summary dismissal is not that great.

"Today the court impressed on the parties that they should seek to settle the dispute before the season begins.

"If they fail to settle the matter, it will proceed to trial on 21 March. There are sure to be a few more twists and turns in this particular race."

Today's news comes on the day Lotus Motorsport announced a new brand ambassador in Nigel Mansell, the 1992 world champion who was given his break in F1 in 1980 with Lotus