Three F1 teams to change name in 2012

Three Formula One stables - Team Lotus, Lotus Renault and Virgin - will change their name for the 2012 world championship season, the sport's ruling body the International Motoring Federation (FIA) announced on Sunday.

Team Lotus will be called Caterham F1 while Lotus Renault will take the name Lotus and Virgin will be known as Marussia F1.

Following a meeting of the F1 Commission presided over by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone in Geneva midweek the FIA approved the request of the teams to change their names.

The decision had been anticipated for Team Lotus and Lotus Renault, which both use French engines, and whose similar names had led to confusion among spectators.