Lotus has avoided going into administration for at least another week after London's High Court agreed to adjourn the case brought against the team by Britain's tax authority HMRC.
Lotus is awaiting Renault's decision on whether it will buy the team and now has until September 28th to secure its future. Mr Justice Birss warned it was the team's last chance to get its financial affairs in order.
"It is to be regarded as a final adjournment," he was quoted as saying by Reuters.
The next hearing will take place the day after the Japanese Grand Prix.