Making a step ahead is difficult for Lotus

The Team Lotus third and the reserve driver Karun Chandhok said that it is difficult for Lotus to make a step ahead and challenge the much established teams. Karun said that Lotus is still establishing itself in the Formula 1 scenario and it will take time to make it through to the second leg of qualifying.

Lotus was the best team among the new comers in 2010 and they finished the season on 10^th place in the constructors standing. After an impressive debut in the last season Lotus was looking to move a step ahead and wanted to put the challenge for Q2. The Malaysian team started the 2011 season impressively and on couple of occasions put the car in the second leg of qualifying. As the season progressed Lotus found them on very same place where they were in 2010.

The performance of Team Lotus was impressive in the initial flyaway races and on couple of occasions they finished the race on 13^th place because of which they are placed on 10^th place in constructors standing. As the European leg stated the team lost some ground and is now at the back of the field.

Lotus reserve driver Karun Chandhok said that in the beginning they were looking good. But as the season progressed the bigger teams began to bring in big updates which hampered them for coming up. He also said that it is difficult for his team to match the development of the bigger team as his team is looking to establish himself for the future.

He said that his team has made some good progress and it will help them in the future he also said that because of the big updates of other teams they have slipped back a bit. Chandhok said that the guys in the factory and on the grid are working flat out but it is difficult for them because the team is trying to build the infrastructure internally. He said that it very tough for the team because the team is to expand it aero department and is also looking to bring in some updates for the car.

Karun also said that the new technical director of the team Mark Smith has started working with the team from May onwards. He said as Smith has also started working with the team and the team has also done with Williams for the wind tunnel in order to improve and increase the aero department. He said that the new changes will pays off and it will be reflected in the 2012 car.

Chandhok said that to make into the second leg of the qualifying is the main aim of the team in this season. However, he said that even though it is their main aim but it is really difficult for them to achieve that feat. He also admitted that it is a tall order to achieve on this season.

I think so, that’s something more for Mike and Tony to answer so it’s up to them. It would be nice to make Q2 but at the moment we’re nearly a second behind now, so realistically it’s going to be tough.

Earlier, also Lotus has said that they are in Formula 1 not to complete the pack but, to became the front runner and develop consistently. Lotus has done number of changes since they have come into Formula 1 they have hired number of engineers from the director form much established team. When the Lotus came into Formula 1 they hired two paid drivers Heike Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli which was very surprising for the new comers. Lotus has been the best team from the new comers and has put huge money and resources to excel into the sport.

Lotus 2011 best performance in grand prix:

Australian GP: 13^th TrulliMalaysian GP: 15^th KovalainenChinese GP: 16^th KovalainenTurkish GP: 18^th TrulliSpanish GP: 18^th TrulliMonaco GP: 13^th TrulliCanadian GP: 16^th TrulliEuropean GP: 19^th Kovalainen