Lotus arrive at Monza but will they race?

The Italian Grand Prix weekend at Monza looks set to be another challenging affair for the beleaguered Lotus team.

After the court bailiff saga of Spa-Francorchamps, reports on Wednesday suggested smoother times are ahead now for the Enstone team, as its transporters had arrived at the Autodromo Nazionale for the Italian grand prix.

But until the black trucks rolled into Monza's gates, Lotus was conspicuous in its absence, as every other team was already setting up.

Insiders report that the team, struggling for money as Pastor Maldonado's nervous backers at PDVSA are reportedly holding back a payment, only arrived at lunchtime on Wednesday.

It is said that, in London, a group of creditors is set to present new claims at the High Court on Friday, which could mean a return to the F1 paddock for bailiffs.

Another rumour is that key components, supplied by disgruntled third parties, are missing at Monza, meaning that Lotus is targeting simply attending the event rather than properly racing, as it waits for Renault's buyout decision.

Earlier this week it emerged that Formula 1’s commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone had stepped in to ensure staff were paid.

“I thought I should cover the wages of the people there to make sure they were all right and so that Lotus would at least get to Spa and, hopefully, to Italy,” said the 84-year-old Briton.

“But they really need to make progress with Renault now to make sure everything is OK,” he added.

Renault, the team’s former owners who won titles with the Enstone-based outfit in 2005 and 2006, are assessing their Formula 1options and whether to quit entirely or become more involved in the sport.