Räikkönen will drive the long version of the Lotus at Monza

The Lotus team indicated this week that they would race in Monza with a longer wheelbase car than the current E21, in preparation for the 2014 Formula 1 season. The question that remained was who would have the privilege of this development. Mark Slade, an engineer from the Enstone team, told the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat that Kimi will drive the long wheelbase car on Friday, and if necessary, we can revert to the shorter version.

This is not the first time in two seasons that Kimi Räikkönen has had the advantage of Lotus’s developments over Romain Grosjean. This was already the case this season in Malaysia with the new front wing and also later at Silverstone where Iceman was able to test the new passive double-DRS. A situation that seems logical given the results of the two men and their positions in the drivers’ championship. Although this Friday will be a first for the long version of the Lotus, Mark Slade still expects this car to be better.

This situation is part of a particular context regarding the future of the Finn. However, it seems difficult to draw conclusions. When asked about his future and which is the better team between Ferrari and Lotus next year, Räikkönen was measured: « No idea. Generally, the biggest teams have more money and resources to make a good car. But the rules are so different next year that we won’t know what the situation will be until we see the new cars on the track. »