Team principal Tony Fernandes admits he struggled to hold back the tears as his Team Lotus secured tenth in the Constructors' Championship.
Heikki Kovalainen finished P16 - ahead of Bruno Senna in a Renault - in Brazil on Sunday with his team-mate Jarno Trulli crossing the finish line in P18 to confirm the team's position in the standings.
The Norfolk squad, which will race under the Caterham F1 Team guise next season, will receive an estimated $25 million for finishing P10 and the cash will no doubt give the team a big boost for 2012.
"Almost tears for me today! I am absolutely overjoyed," Fernandes said after the Brazilian GP.
"Two years of hard work have paid off today and it was great to see both cars home safely, helping us win tenth place. The icing on the cake was beating a Renault - that meant a lot to me as I have always said the good guys do win.
"Now we look forward to our new life as Caterham F1 Team and we say goodbye to Team Lotus. Colin [Chapman - Lotus' founder] - we hope we did you proud and we hope you keep an eye over us as Caterham F1 Team. We know we will do you proud there as well."
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