The reliability problems which have dogged Lotus since the team made its belated start to testing remained on the first day of the new season.
The teams’ two drivers only managed to participate in one session each as their E22 chassis were afflicted with a series of glitches.
“We were delayed getting Romain Grosjean’s car out in the first session due to a gearbox fluid leak,” explained technical director Nick Chester. Grosjean did not leave the garage at all during the opening 90 minutes of running.
Team mate Pastor Maldonado covered two laps before being struck by an electrical problem.
“Part of Pastor’s issue was related to the wiring loom, which we needed to replace,” said Chester. “The looms are so complex for the latest generation car that this meant Pastor missed the second session.”
Lotus have replaced the energy store and control electronics for both motor generator units on Maldonado’s car.
Although Grosjean did make it onto the track in the second session he was visibly struggling with the E22 in some corners and eventually skidded off at turn six. He suspected a failure had occured under braking.
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Image © Lotus/LAT
Lucas Wilson (@full-throttle-f1)
14th March 2014, 10:05
They look to be second slowest, in front of Caterham but behind Marussia.
OneBHK (@onebhk)
14th March 2014, 10:11
the first lap nutcase lived up to his name, waiting for Crashalando to do the same
Torg22
14th March 2014, 11:21
Grojean showed last year that he has matured and got over his accident proneness. I don’t think nutcase status is very warranted any longer. Secondly if you actually watch the incident in P2 you will note that the rear of the car looked unstable, on viewing I wouldn’t be blaming Grojean for that. Looked like a car issue.
Chris (@ukphillie)
14th March 2014, 11:43
Had a year off in 2013 then? ‘Cos you definitely weren’t watching the F1 I was watching last year if you say that about Grosjean.
Kimi4WDC
15th March 2014, 2:07
Since when job half done counts as whole? He did not do what he was expected for half a year, sure when he actually get on with the job the contrast is much more impressive.
Pelican (@pelican)
14th March 2014, 22:14
At this point, they’ll both be lucky to get the chance.
Hemz Shaw (@hemzshaw)
14th March 2014, 13:08
And he still wanted to take that number “13”… what a joke!
Corrado (@)
14th March 2014, 13:21
Given Lotus’ (overall) problems, it looks like it’s really great for Kimi not to be part of the team in 2014.
Guelph (@guelph)
14th March 2014, 16:03
If every team runs out of their allocation of power units, can the FIA grant all teams an extra unit, or will we have races where nobody starts in their qualifying position?
WilliamB (@william-brierty)
14th March 2014, 17:15
Did Maldonado forget to brake for that corner where he went through the gravel trap? He managed to brake for the next corner…
George (@george)
14th March 2014, 18:43
@william-brierty That’s the impression I got too, he was too busy working out what the smoke in the cockpit was and missed the corner. Could be wrong though.
HK (@me4me)
14th March 2014, 18:12
There are some pretty clever ideas on the car, so potential pace might not be a problem. The car is not ready to race though. Even worse, they seem to stand still at the moment.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th March 2014, 18:48
Everyone knew this would happen to Lotus, still the team ignored it and moved on. Now Lotus should move on with some of their staff.
Pelican (@pelican)
14th March 2014, 22:13
What, what?
Strontium (@strontium)
14th March 2014, 19:12
Hulkenberg must be feeling very pleased now!