Lotus approaches the Spanish Grand Prix with confidence

Formula 1 returns to Europe this weekend, specifically in Spain, and Eric Boullier, the manager of the Lotus F1 Team, is thrilled because the Grand Prix promises to be exciting: The first race in Europe is always the beginning of a new adventure. In this sense, yes, we are all eager to take on this challenge. It also makes the team’s life easier in terms of logistics. We are no longer very far from our bases. That said, Barcelona is a special circuit because we always do tests there in the winter. So it will be interesting to see the gaps between the teams. They might even be tighter than what we’ve seen so far.

The French manager approaches this Spanish meeting with confidence given the recently displayed competitiveness of the E20 and the team’s two drivers, Grosjean and Räikkönen: «We have been able to preserve our tires during the races so far. But the track in Barcelona is very abrasive, especially for the front-left tire. Maybe we will have an advantage over our opponents in this area. The only question is our performance depending on the temperature. Over the first four races, it seems that a trend has emerged and that we are increasingly competitive as the temperature rises. We will see about that.»

Boullier also commented on the Mugello tests. The Enstone team was able to test new parts to prepare for Barcelona, and the results are encouraging: « Yes (these tests were useful). Even if the weather was not great, we were able to test modifications that cannot normally be applied during a race weekend because they take too much time to install. We learned a lot about the car. Furthermore, our session at the Windshear wind tunnel brought many positive results. We know the E20 will be even faster. But performance is a relative concept. We have to wait and see if our rivals have made progress. »

James Allison, the technical director of the Lotus team, also expressed satisfaction with the tests conducted in Mugello. They allowed for more in-depth work on certain aspects that are too complex and time-consuming to be done during a Grand Prix weekend. We conducted certain tests that are too elaborate for a Grand Prix Friday because the modifications take too long. During the two dry days, we ran with one fundamental setup in the morning and another fundamental setup in the afternoon. Additionally, over the course of each morning or afternoon, we carried out a multitude of minor tests that could be done independently of the major evaluations. This allowed us to obtain answers to pressing questions that have been holding us back for a while and gave us a good direction for our future campaigns. This is the great benefit of an in-season test session compared to winter tests. At the beginning of the year, you are so focused on reliability and having everything in place for the first race that you don’t have time to consider a more elaborate comparison of different setups.

Kimi Räikkönen did not drive at Mugello, contrary to what was initially planned, but the Finnish driver does not feel disadvantaged: “We didn’t have any major components to test and we don’t race at Mugello. So I didn’t cry when it was decided that I wouldn’t participate in the tests. I know the circuit well but I didn’t need to drive. I’m here to race and that’s what I’ll do in Barcelona.”

Especially since the real innovations will be utilized in Barcelona during the test sessions. There will notably be a new wing as James Allison reveals: “We will bring the first batch of evolutions from our program at the Winshear wind tunnel. Additionally, we will also have new elements developed in our conventional wind tunnel. The modifications will concern the front and rear drums, the front wing, and the underbody.”

Romain Grosjean knows the Catalunya circuit well, and according to him, one of the keys will be tire management, which could be favorable to the Lotus team and the E20: Yes, we practiced (at the Circuit de Catalunya) during winter testing. Its demands in terms of handling are constant, and it will be a good reference point for the entire European campaign. Everyone knows Barcelona very well thanks to the testing. The first sector is very fast with the first four corners, and the last one is rather slow between turns 10 and 15. Coming out of 15, you need a good rear end and excellent traction. It is important not to overheat the rear tires, and their wear will be key. If you degrade the tires too much, your lap times are nothing. So tire management will be the key element for a good race result. We will also see what the temperature will be. If it’s as hot as in Bahrain, the E20 should be fine…

James Allison also acknowledges that the tires could play an important role this weekend, but it’s essential to have a well-tuned car to make the most of the Pirelli tires’ operating window: «All you can try to do is have the widest possible usage window during which the car is performant. You must make the best use of the available tires. Each tire has a usage range, and if you’re lucky, or if you have a good car, it’s possible to bring the tires into this range most of the time. The kind of things that allow you to stay within this operational range are: good downforce, a mechanical suspension package that is not demanding on the tires, and drivers who understand the needs of the tires and don’t damage them without reason. Except for Friday morning in China, where it was really cold, I’m reassured by the fact that in the first four races, we have always been significantly within the tires’ usage window. These were four different circuits, with significant variations in track temperatures and more or less abrasive surfaces. So we’re happy that the E20’s operational window is quite wide.»

Grosjean believes that beyond the tires, the crucial element of this weekend will be the qualifying session, as it is very difficult to overtake on the Barcelona track: In Barcelona, it is important to qualify well, and it will be much more difficult to overtake than in Bahrain. Qualifying is an area where we can improve a bit. We have some ideas on this and I hope they will bring us to the front row.

His Finnish teammate, Kimi Räikkönen, expects to have a good car in Spain and therefore hopes to achieve a good result – and why not a new podium after Bahrain’s: «I expect Lotus to be very competitive in Barcelona. It will be very, very close between the top teams. It’s the only circuit where teams have already done testing with the new cars, and the setup is crucial because the track evolves with the wind and temperature. All teams will have upgrades for the first European race, making it even more interesting and tighter among the best.»

Romain Grosjean, on his part, hopes to continue his learning in Formula 1 and take advantage of every opportunity to prove his talent and achieve good results for himself and the Lotus team: « We will have to see what we can pull out of the hat! I have to keep moving forward step by step. The last two races have been good, for the team as well as for me. I will give my best in Barcelona and the goal for the next races will be to climb as high as possible in the drivers’ standings. I still have a lot to learn. I’ve only done four Grand Prix as a starter this season. It’s not a very big experience, but each race I finish precisely gives me fantastic experience. And of course, the podium in Bahrain gives me confidence for Barcelona. »

Even though the teams and drivers know the Circuit de Catalunya well, according to Allison, things will be different compared to winter testing because the cars have changed a lot and the temperatures will not be the same: Even if we know it like the back of our hand, the race always turns out a little different from winter testing, due to the change in temperature between February and May. The tires will behave a little differently with about ten more degrees on the asphalt. Furthermore, the car has evolved significantly since our last tests here, so the race team will have a busy weekend to extract the best from it.