A number of creditors, clearly concerned by the demise of Caterham and Marussia last year, have launched a winding-up petition against the Lotus F1 Team.

While the petition was listed on the winding-up list of the Companies Court today, the hearing has been adjourned in order to allow the various parties time to talk.

Lotus CEO Matthew Carter was quick to play down the order citing the fact that some suppliers are obviously concerned after what happened to Caterham and Marussia.

At the weekend questions were raised as to the apparent absence (race-wise) of team owner Gerard Lopez, who hasn't been spotted at a race this season.

"Gerard is still our owner, he's still the chairman of the company," said Carter. "I'm not sure where you missed him but he's certainly been to two if not three of the races this season - he certainly was in Spain on race day.

"He's busy on other projects," added Carter. "He has other involvements, other business involvements and, as far as I'm aware, he's leaving the running of the team down to myself and I think he's probably happy with what's going on at the moment and therefore doesn't feel he needs to get involved. I hope so anyway."

All that aside, the winding-up petition appears to reinforce the need to keep Pastor Maldonado and his sponsor, PDVSA, content, despite the Venezuelan's lack of results.