Lotus says technical boss Allison staying put

Lotus technical director James Allison is staying put, claims an insider at the Enstone based team, despite admitting that Mercedes' Niki Lauda has been calling for the highly rated Briton.

Last week, as the Paddy Lowe saga unfolded, we reported that Allison had been earmarked by McLaren as a possible replacement, in case Lowe jumped ship.

Actually, the Lotus insider confirmed that it had been Mercedes' Lauda on the phone.

"Lauda calls Allison every day," the source is quoted by Speed Week, "but James' contract is bullet-proof."

Moreover, "He also doesn't want to leave," the Lotus insider added.

Subbed by AJN.