Räikkönen with Lotus and the short wheelbase

Since the Korean Grand Prix, the Lotus team has chosen to modify the length of the E21 to make it longer. A technical choice aimed at improving weight distribution as well as making progress aerodynamically, while preparing for the 2014 season as explained during the initial tests on track of this version of the Enstone single-seater, in Monza.

The choice of the long wheelbase also seems to coincide with Kimi Räikkönen’s relative lack of form, often being outpaced by Romain Grosjean in both qualifying and races. While in Monza, the Finn had indicated that this modification did not seem to bring a major gain, he confirmed this impression by opting to revert to the previous solution during the Abu Dhabi race, although the race didn’t allow him to see any improvement due to a first-lap retirement.

Despite everything, *Iceman* has decided to persist and will run the short chassis again in Austin: « I have a better feeling and it seems it makes it easier to find what I want from the car. We have tried to eliminate the understeer so that the car is more like I want, and the shorter car allows that.

A situation that leads Lotus F1 to run two different cars, which Eric Boullier, the director of the British team, does not see as a problem: « We are able to run both configurations without issue, so that’s what we will do. If one of the two drivers still wants to change the configuration, obviously we can do it, but it is not a quick task. » The difference lies in the feel: « It’s a matter of settings and having the car exactly how the driver wants it. Romain prefers and gets more out of the long wheelbase, while Kimi prefers and gets more out of the short wheelbase. »

In the off-track realm, rumors have been swirling for several weeks about a potential advanced split between Lotus and Kimi Räikkönen; primarily due to issues related to the payment of the 2007 world champion’s salary and bonuses, as well as the heated radio communications during the Indian race. According to Eric Boullier, there is no longer any problem: « He is completely with us. We all spoke in Abu Dhabi to make sure we know where we’re going—and now we’re there—for the last races of the season. Our focus is primarily on a good performance in Austin and then the focus will be on achieving a good result in Brazil. »

« We missed the podium in Abu Dhabi, but it’s clear the car has the pace to be there. We are where we want to be because that’s where you get the most points. It would obviously be fantastic if we could get both our drivers on the podium again before the end of the season, and if they could both be there in Austin, I would be a very happy man, » added the Frenchman relayed by our colleagues from Crash.net.

Lotus is still fighting for the second position in the constructors’ standings, but the team boss believes that third place is a more reasonable target: « There are two races remaining and a maximum of 86 points, so mathematically, it’s still possible [to be second], and we are not going to give up. Obviously, to score maximum points, you need to occupy the top two steps of the podium, and there’s Red Bull + Sebastian Vettel standing there. Obviously, it would be nice for us if Seb took an early vacation! Looking at the positions and what the teams have scored in the last races, third certainly seems a bit more within our reach, but our approach is the same: always keep pushing. »

Update, November 10: Ultimately, due to severe back pain, Kimi Räikkönen is out for the last two races of the season.