It has been reported in recent days that the Silverstone based team was concerned that the wind tunnel model of Lotus' 2010 car strongly resembles the 2009 Force India.

Mike Gascoyne, formerly of Force India, has used the Italian engineering company for both of his most recent F1 projects.

Aerolab hit back at the reports, revealing that it is in fact pursuing Force India in the courts after "serious and persistent breaches of contract".

"These rumours are designed only to tarnish the company's reputation and professionalism and to divert attention away from the facts," said Aerolab's Jean-Claude Migeot.