Did Lotus make the breakthrough in Malaysia?
by Jack Lamure on Apr 10th, 2011Team Lotus boss Tony Fernandes and tech chief Mike Gascoyne believe the Anglo-Malaysian outfit has now made its F1 breakthrough following today's race at Sepang.
"I think we can officially say we were racing today," Fernandes told Autosport after the race, in which Heikki Koavalainen recorded a 15th place finish whilst Jarno Trulli dropped out with clutch problems.
"Overall our pace was very good at the end, particularly when we were with the leading cars, and we were very close to passing one of the Toro Rossos as we came over the line which shows how we have progressed," added Gascoyne.
Lotus entered 2011 convinced that they had made the step necessary to fight the midfield teams, but have failed to live up to that in either of this season's qualifying sessions thus far, never looking genuinely likely to make it out of Q1. Their cars have started both races 19th and 20th.
Photo: Team Lotus
However they have managed to leave fellow 2010 newboys Virgin and HRT in the dust, increasing their gap over both significantly between Abu Dhabi and Australia.
But that - combined with a gap of around a second to the teams directly in front of them - has left Kovalainen and Trulli in a somewhat lonely position, floating between their former rivals and those they now wish to mix it with. Badger's Craig Normansell subsequently dubbed this the Lotus Position, and we're sticking with it.
Regardless of position, Lotus have undoubtedly improved since last season. Though they may be qualifying in the same positions the gap has come down and they can just about mix it with the midfield teams over the course of a grand prix. But it's that last second needed to put them squarely in the mix with the likes of Force India, Toro Rosso and Sauber that will be the toughest to shave off. The notion that they've made the breakthrough yet isn't yet fully convincing.
Comments and Discussion
They were only racing with Buemi because he got a stop go penalty for speeding in the pitlane. Just more smoke and mirrors from Fernandes & co. Lotus (Cars) Renault finishing on the podium must be embarrassing for "Team Lotus" at the home race - it doesn't matter which party is technically correct if the Malaysian public perceive one to be more deserving of their support.
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Team Lotus are a breath of fresh air in the paddock, give great access to the team, behind the scenes info and seem to be so hungry for victory. I also think they have had a raw deal over the name issue. Huge respect to Team Lotus.
Considering the only teams they finished ahead of were Virgin and HRT, I think "Breakthrough" is a bit premature and as for 'Racing' racing for what exactly?
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Why would they be embarrassed when the Renault Team end up on the podium, Team Lotus are only in their 2nd season and I think are making great steps forwards, the Renault Team have been doing this for a lot longer and should be on the podium more than they are. Time wise if you look at the pace of the Team Lotus cars during the race, they were 1:44's which is the same as Michael Schumaker. I think that's very good, well done Team Lotus.
just got back from malaysia after attending the race. It seemed about 50/50 of locals wearing Renault shirts and Team Lotus shirts. Team lotus had a significant presence in the city as well, with two cars at the Pavillion mall and had driver appearances there for the fans.
and Renault? not a thing.... I think the people of malaysia will eventually notice that and their support will reflect that. Team Lotus ethos is more 'Lotus' than Renaults and in a lot of ways are more Malaysian as well. Not to mention there are a number of malaysian staff in key positions within the team, I doubt that is the case with Renault.
Interestingly, Proton bought up most of the seats in the T2 area (the 2nd floor of the tower in the inside of the last corner) where we were sitting. None of them had 'Lotus' Renault shirts, they were all in Blue proton team building & family day out shirts.
'The Lotus Position' - the name of my Friends League for the last two seasons
Team Lotus are heading in the right direction - still a looong way to go though!
What I find interesting is the amount of 'free coverage' Group Lotus are getting with there tie-up with Renault. Commentators, magazines, websites, constantly refer to 'Lotus' Renault - far more than they do with other teams. For example, you hear Lotus Renault said far more than AT&T Williams, who are just referred to as Williams.
Having just re-watched the Australian GP, I even noticed that on their pit-garage it said Lotus Renault, whilst all the other teams just said McLaren, Williams etc... I would be complaining if I were a top sponsor of those teams!