The Lotus F1 team have had mixed fortunes over the past few seasons. 2013 showed strong performance from the black and gold cars, especially in the hands of returning champion Kimi Raikkonen. However, the new 2014 V6 hybrid regulations threw the team off pace and with the Renault power unit firmly in the shadow of Mercedes-Benz, the unique twin-tusked car just wasn’t a competitor in any way shape or form. It was a case of back to the drawing board for the men and women of Enstone. The 2015 Lotus E23 hopes to change their fortunes.
Extensive tweaking and the outlaw of its predecessors twin-nose has resulted in this Lotus E23 looking rather promising. Tighter packaging to the rear and the promise of even more revisions before the first race is an encouraging sign. Testing is soon to begin in Jerez and a huge change for Lotus comes in the form of a new Mercedes-Benz power unit. Disappointed with Renault’s offering last year, the old phrase “if you can’t beat them, join them.” springs to mind.
Something Lotus will retain from last year is their 2014 driver lineup of Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado.
