Autosport editor in hot water with Team Lotus

Posted on 13/12/2010

Mike Gascoyne is unhappy with Autosport's coverage © Getty Images

The editor of leading motorsport magazine Autosport, Andrew van de Burgt, has landed himself in trouble with Team Lotus technical boss Mike Gascoyne.

Autosport’s recent coverage of the Lotus v Lotus saga said that Group Lotus linking up with Renault meant that "The real Lotus is back".

"Lots of fans unhappy with the Autosport articles this week, me too," commented Gascoyne on Twitter.

It was reported that Van de Burgt defended his magazine’s coverage on Team Lotus' official Facebook page before deleting it, insisting that Tony Fernandes' 2010 entry under the Lotus name was "a cynical attempt to generate publicity and sponsorship".

"The Lotus buy-in of Renault is to promote and sell Lotus road and race cars - the whole reason Chapman set up Team Lotus in the first place. No hoax. Stop over-reacting," said van de Burgt.

The Autosport editor clarified on Monday that the excerpt linked by Gascoyne was extracted from a private letter and used without permission and that he is now seeking legal advice.