Lotus has thanked F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone for feeding its employees in Suzuka as the cash-strapped team continues to be locked out of its hospitality tent because of payment issues.

The team's freight arrived late to the Suzuka paddock on Thursday afternoon ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix but the team's hospitality tent remains empty, with the team conducting its media briefings in the middle of a wet Suzuka paddock. Lotus is currently waiting on a possible buyout by Renault, but is due back in court on Monday to continue an adjourned case brought against it by Britain's tax authority HMRC.

With Lotus and its employees having nowhere to go to eat in between sessions other outfits up and down the grid have opened their doors.

Speaking after Friday's rain-affected practice sessions, driver Romain Grosjean said of the situation: "It's quite fun - it's like camping! The atmosphere is good, we've found somewhere with a coffee machine, Pirelli has offered us some hospitality for the drivers to have lunch, mechanics could have lunch as well. It's not ideal start of the weekend but when the car is on track that's what we focus on."

F1 supremo Ecclestone also allowed Lotus employees in to the Paddock Club hospitality canteen to eat. Earlier this month Ecclestone paid £1.5 million to cover the wages of 400 people at Lotus.

After Friday's afternoon session, Lotus took to Twitter to thank the F1 chief for the gesture.