Singapore GP: Team Review – Lotus

Third placed Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and Lotus speaks to the media following the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 22, 2013 in Singapore, Singapore. (Getty Images)

You can’t keep the Iceman out of the limelight for too long. With the rift between the Lotus-Renault F1 team growing thanks to Kimi Raikkonen’s revelation of a move to Ferrari – due to salary payment issues – the Finn wasn’t expected to finish strongly. But there he was on the podium yet again after struggling with a back pain that prompted a disappointing qualifying, and which almost kept him out of the race.

Teammate Romain Grosjean looked in sublime touch with a superb qualifying that helped him start third on the grid but frustratingly for the Frenchman, he had to retire with an air leak problem. A couple of recent mature performances (after a slow start to the season) could see him lead the team’s charge next season.

But that would depend on primarily as to whom Lotus will sign as his teammate. If it’s Felipe Massa, then the Brazilian will be looking at the number one driver tag, given his experience. If it’s Nico Hulkenberg, the youngster might just help Lotus surprise the likes of Ferrari and Red Bull.

Lotus will take their time to find a replacement for Raikkonen but the fact remains they’ll find it hard to replace him.

Kimi Raikkonen

Even though Raikkonen started thirteenth on the grid, he was at his usual best moving ahead a couple of places before making a very early pit-stop on lap 10. At that time it looked like as he if was on for a three stopper but the safety car saw a change of strategy with the Finn pitting again on lap 26.

As soon as the safety car went in it was a familiar territory for him, and with his typical ‘never give up’ motto, he found his way up the field. What made his achievement even more commendable is that Singapore remains one of the most difficult tracks for overtaking.

In the final laps Raikkonen overtook Jenson Button and was able to hold off Mark Webber for the final podium position. The pain in his back is due to a crash in testing in 2001, and fans would hope that for quick recovery in time for next race in South Korea.

Romain Grosjean

The Frenchman looked as if he had finally come off age thanks to his amazingly qualifying lap. Staring on the second row in third, his start wasn’t the best as he lost a lot of ground. But Grosjean was able to stay with the bunch of drivers and was in sixth place before he suffered an unfortunate retirement.

Grosjean was vocally upset to lose out on what could have been a few well earned points. But it seems Grosjean sees the opportunity to become a better driver (with him becoming a senior driver at Lotus having been with the team for two years) after his erratic and irresponsible ways earlier in his career. And hopefully he will show this character in the remaining races of the season.