Lotus to end Cosworth F1 deal at end of season

The Malaysian-backed Lotus Formula One team are poised to switch to Renault engines for 2011 after agreeing a termination of their current deal with Cosworth.

Cosworth said in a statement after Sunday's Italian Grand Prix that they had reached an agreement in principle "whereby the team's Cosworth engine supply agreement will come to a conclusion at the end of the current Formula One season."

The engine maker added that the agreement was subject to contract and there would be no comment by either party until the agreement was signed.

Lotus team principal Tony Fernandes hinted strongly on Sunday that a switch to Renault units would be announced shortly.

Lotus are one of three new teams on the grid this season, none of which have scored any points, and originally signed a three-year agreement with privately-owned Cosworth.

The British-based engine maker also supplies former champions Williams, Virgin Racing and HRT (Hispania).