Lotus will not race its highly-anticipated double DRS-inspired 'device' at least until Suzuka next month. The Enstone based team intended to use the straightline speed-boosting system at Spa, but Friday's practice sessions were a washout. And Lotus will also not fit the device to Kimi Raikkonen and Jerome d'Ambrosio's cars at Monza, due to the unique low-downforce configuration of the historic track. "In Singapore you won't see it either," said technical director James Allison, "because it's too high a downforce circuit with insufficient straights for […]

Lotus' double DRS-inspired "device" will remain on the back-burner for yet another grand prix. The Enstone based team wanted to qualify and race the device at Spa last weekend, but Lotus changed course due to Friday's practice washout. And according to French sources sport24.com and autohebdo.fr, team boss Eric Boullier has also ruled out fitting the straightline speed-boosting concept to the E20 cars for Sunday's Italian grand prix. Sport24.com said the decision was made because of the "characteristics" of the Monza track, which is the […]

The buzzword in the Spa paddock is 'Lotus'. Already a standout performer of the 2012 season, the black and gold E20 is long overdue for a victory. Belgium could be just the place. Only Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher have won more times in the Ardennes than Kimi Raikkonen (4). And, for the first time in 2012, he and teammate Romain Grosjean are tipped to race the Enstone based team's new 'double DRS' innovation, which on Spa's long straights could provide a big advantage. "On […]

All eyes will be on Lotus' already-competitive black and gold E20 at high speed Spa and Monza. Technical boss James Allison confirmed recently the Enstone based team intended to debut its so-called 'double DRS' system in Belgium. Sky television pundit Ted Kravitz said the device, so far only tested in Friday practice sessions, works at any point of a circuit over 150mph. Historic Spa and Monza, the F1 double-header taking place over the next two weekends, are among the fastest circuits on the calendar. "They […]

Lotus is confident Kimi Raikkonen will stay with the Enstone based team in 2013. Before F1 went into its August slumber, 2007 world champion Raikkonen refused to categorically deny rumours he might return to Ferrari next year to replace Felipe Massa. When asked about those stories, Lotus' technical boss James Allison said: "He doesn't give us any reason to think that he is going elsewhere. "I think he likes it with us, I think we're giving him competitive equipment and it's a very straightforward working […]

Eric Boullier has revealed he "definitely" plans to keep not just Kimi Raikkonen at Lotus in 2013, but also the Finn's impressive rookie teammate Romain Grosjean. The Enstone based team's boss has dismissed speculation Raikkonen could return to Ferrari next year, where he won the 2007 title before he was ousted at the end of the 2009 season. "It's nice that Ferrari is in the newspapers," Boullier is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, "but to my knowledge Kimi has no intention of going […]

The McLaren duo of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button have ended the opening practice session 1st and 2nd respectively ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, as the Woking-based outfit continue to progress with their new upgrades which were introduced last weekend in Germany. The opening session of the weekend was run in glorious sunshine and hot temperatures, a stark contrast to the weather conditions experienced during the last two race weekends at Hockenheim and Silverstone. Once again, the three usual reserve drivers of Jules […]

Romain Grosjean has admitted he hopes to keep his Lotus seat in 2013. Despite a few too many incidents, the Swiss-born rookie Frenchman has been a revelation of this season, especially in light of his mediocre and abortive 2009 debut. Lotus boss Eric Boullier and owner Gerard Lopez have indicated they are happy with both Grosjean, 26, and the team's other new driver Kimi Raikkonen. Still, Grosjean is hoping he definitely stays in 2013. "Hopefully, if all goes well, I will be with the team […]

Lewis Hamilton "is ready" to open talks with Lotus, according to a report in the British tabloid the Daily Mail. But Enstone based Lotus' is just the latest name in the pot as uncertainty continues to surround the 2008 world champion's future at McLaren. Hamilton's lucrative contract runs out this year, and while he is expected to ultimately sign a new deal, he is reportedly at loggerheads over the level of his pay and other details, such as the right to keep his trophies. Hamilton […]

A solid afternoon at Silverstone, with Kimi Raikkonen fifth and Romain Grosjean sixth, was enough to move Lotus ahead of McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship ahead. Lotus began the weekend in third place with 126 points, 15 behind McLaren. However, with McLaren enduring a tough afternoon as their home race, with Lewis Hamilton eighth and Jenson Button tenth, the finishes scored b Raikkonen and Grosjean elevated the Enstone-based team to144 points, two ahead of McLaren who drop to fourth. Ferrari leaped into second place behind […]

Kimi Raikkonen has played down a reported spat with Lotus, insisting he is only pushing the team to improve its steering system. It has been claimed the former McLaren and Ferrari driver has repeatedly rejected Enstone based Lotus' efforts to tailor the E20 car to Raikkonen's precise needs. "It's just because in other years I drove cars with really good steering," German reports quoted the 32-year-old as telling the Italian magazine Autosprint. "There are a few things on which we can continue to work and […]

Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen has said that his strong form in 2012 has left him with a winning ambition. Raikkonen has taken three podiums so far this season but has yet to claim the top step. "If you asked me before the start of the season whether I would be happy with podiums I would have said yes, but now I’ve had some good results, I want more", said the Finnish driver. "In the last few races the results haven’t been as strong as I’ve […]