Lotus announced on Tuesday that they have sold a 35 percent stake in the team, to the investment group Infinity Racing Partners Limited.

Until now, Genii Capital, the investment firm co-founded by Lotus F1’s chairman Gerard Lopez, has owned 100 percent of the Enstone based team. Genii Capital will still retain a controlling 65 percent stake of the team and Lopez will continue to fill the role of Chairman. Genii CEO Eric Lux will also retain his seat on the Board of Directors.

Infinity Racing is an investment consortium made up of private investors including “an American hedge fund manager, an Abu Dhabi-based multinational business group and royal family interests of a major oil producing nation”.

Lopez feels that sponsorship options for the team will be increased with the inclusion of the new part owners. “Infinity Racing’s principals have exceptional expertise and a proven strong track record in developing and delivering high quality technologies,” he said. “This partnership will enable us to increase Lotus F1 Team’s competitive advantage related to KERS technology as it becomes more central to Formula One’s push for environmentally sound racing, while also making Lotus F1 Team more marketable as a brand, opening up additional major sponsorship opportunities.”

Genii CEO Eric Lux has said that he believes the move is the start of an exciting journey for the team. “Genii Capital is delighted to announce this partnership between Infinity Racing and Lotus F1 Team as we continue to grow and compete for podium places,” he said. “Since Genii Capital took over control in December 2009, we have been focused on growing the value of the organisation and developing the infrastructure at its Enstone headquarters.”

“As Lotus F1 Team results have continued to improve every year, we have been waiting for the right investor who will help make the jump to the top spot in the Constructors’ Championship. In Infinity Racing, we have found a partner with the right connections in addition to technological expertise and a global reach in major markets with key sponsors to achieve this goal. We look forward to working with Infinity Racing as we continue on this exciting journey.”