Italian wind tunnel firm Aerolab has confirmed it is taking legal action against the Force India team following allegations this week of collusion between parent company, Fondtech, and the new Lotus F1 project.

The company claim that the collaboration with the Silverstone-based team came to an "abrupt and unhappy" conclusion in September “after serious and persistent breaches of contract” by Force India.

“It is quite unusual for us to comment on negative matters but we have been given no other choice but to make public the facts after press reports in recent days suggested that Aerolab has passed on information to parent company Fondtech which enjoys a close technical relationship with Lotus F1 Racing," stated Aerolab MD Jean-Claude Migeot.

"These rumours are designed only to tarnish the company’s reputation and professionalism and to divert attention away from the facts. The truth is that Aerolab is suing Force India for not fulfilling its obligations.”