Lotus E22 Render Released

Lotus fans were disappointed when their team stated that they would not be attending the first pre-season test in Jerez and consequently delaying the launch of their 2014 challenger. The team who were the first to unveil their 2013 car were looking to spend more time developing the package at Enstone. However, in conjunction with the corporate launch season, Lotus have released three renderings of their new car and it has certainly sparked some discussion.

The images released are merely a concept, but the Lotus E22's odd design is certainly sparking debate
(c) Lotus F1 Team

2013 Team Reviews: Lotus

Next to come under the microscope is Lotus and what a crazy season it has been for the team from Enstone. Kimi Raikkonen has proved to be a highly valuable asset to the team - too valuable in fact, while Romain Grosjean enjoyed a magnificent turn in form after the summer break as he claimed four podiums post Hungary to add to his two prior to the shutdown. While Lotus were at times, the closest challengers to Red Bull, the team struggled with inconsistencies during the early part of the year which meant that they were unable to catch Ferrari and Mercedes, despite their better form at the end of the year.

Maldonado Heading To Lotus

The chips are beginning to fall in the driver market as Lotus have finally confirmed that Pastor Maldonado will partner returnee Romain Grosjean in 2014. The announcement concerning Kimi Raikkonen's replacement at Enstone has been eagerly anticipated ever since the Finn declared his departure back in October. However, the news of Maldonado's arrival has angered many fans as the pay driver debate rumbles on. Nico Hulkenberg has undoubtedly been beaten to the seat by Maldonado's pocket, yet the Venezuelan's appointment is not as dire a forecast for the future as some may perceive.

Raikkonen Checks Out Of Lotus

The Kimi Raikkonen and Lotus relationship has been steadily deteriorating in recent weeks. As Raikkonen is heading to Ferrari next season, he has not been shy in condemning the team for their poor finances, which have led to him not being paid. However, lack of payment is not the reason why Raikkonen's management team have announced that he will not race in the final two rounds of the season - instead, the Finn will undergo surgery on Thursday to cure the trapped nerve in his back which almost ruled him out of the Singapore Grand Prix back in early October.

Allison Completes Ferrari Move

Amid speculation of the deal at the weekend, Ferrari have now announced that former Lotus Technical Director James Allison will join the Scuderia on September 1st. The appointment has caused a minor reshuffle of posts within the team, as current Technical Director, Pat Fry, will now take the title of  Director of Engineering, as Allison is given the role of Chassis Technical Director.

Grosjean Wanted YDT Opportunity

Following the intensive restrictions Pirelli placed upon the race drivers at last weeks Young Drivers Test, the majority of teams opted to allow their young stars all important track time. Lotus were one of these teams, with Nicolas Prost running two of the three test days, with GP2 reigning champion Davide Valsecchi putting the car through its paces on Thursday. Neither Kimi Raikkonen or Romain Grosjean received track time; A decision which has left the latter disgruntled.

Lotus Heading In The Right Direction

Lotus' season so far as been far from a smooth cruise. Following an explosive start which saw Kimi Raikkonen take his 20th career victory in Australia, the team have frequently stuttered. In certain regards, this season has closely resembled their 2012 campaign. As the paddock takes shape before a weekend, Lotus are tipped as the dark horses, yet often fail to rise to the occasion. However, several developments seem to have brought the Enstone based team back into contention, but was a spectacular German Grand Prix performance merely a flash in the pan?

German Grand Prix: Race Analysis

Sebastian Vettel victories are often categorized as the boring affairs, where the German claims a comfortable lights to flag win. However, his 30th career victory was a hard fought tussle as Sebastian faced relentless pressure from the fast charging Lotus duo of Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean throughout the race. Nevertheless, an exuberant Sebastian has finally broken his record of never having won on home soil. In addition, he has now also broken his duct of having never won a Grand Prix in the month of July. A fantastic day for Germany and a near perfect day for a resurgent Lotus team.
The German managed to lead into turn one, fending off a fast charging Mark Webber who attempted to aggressively take the lead following a sublime start. Meanwhile, Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen battled their way into contention. Grosjean managed to close Vettel's lead before a safety car for Jules Bianchi's stricken Marussia brought Kimi Raikkonen into contention.

Grosjean's Monaco Issues Dismissed

Following a truly shambolic weekend in Monaco, Eric Boullier has dismissed speculation that Romain Grosjean is beginning to devolve into the reckless driver he was just 12 months ago. His hideous misjudgment which ended Daniel Ricciardo's race yesterday is yet another addition to the long list of incidents which have previously earned Grosjean the unsavory title of "Mr.Nutcase".
His clumsy accident in yesterday's race was dubbed a "misjudgment" by the unfortunate Ricciardo, yet Grosjean's mistakes happen all too frequently. In a season which has been confirmed as his second and last chance, he is yet to repay Lotus for the faith they have shown in him. His ten-place grid penalty for causing the nasty collision will significantly hamper his Canadian Grand Prix weekend.

Grosjean Targets Quali Improvements

Following an impressive double podium in Bahrain, Lotus head into the European season with a chance to topple Red Bull in both championships. However, Romain Grosjean has suggested that the team need to improve their performances in Qualifying if they are to mount a sustained challenge. For a team which notoriously struggle for one lap performance, this may be easier said than done.

Bahrain Grand Prix: Friday Analysis

Ahead of this weekend, many pundits and analysts, including myself, believed that Lotus would be the standout performers in Bahrain. Following their Friday running, few people would retract their predictions, as Lotus impressed with spectacular long run pace. Moreover, Raikkonen also displayed fantastic qualifying pace, claiming the top spot on the FP2 timesheet. It was an ominous display from a Lotus team who threaten to dominate this weekend.

Boullier Predicted Sepang Struggles

Lotus Team Principal, Eric Boullier, has announced that the team predicted a drop in form following the Australian Grand Prix and were unsurprised by their poor race pace. Kimi Raikkonen could only reach P7 in Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix, from P10 on the grid. Meanwhile, teammate Grosjean could only finish one position higher in P6.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Race Analysis

Well, there is simply no other word to describe today' race, than classic. From start to finish, action was just around the corner, and the risky strategic maneuvers left everyone on the edge of their seat. Kimi Raikkonen profited from McLaren unreliability to claim a well deserved, first win of the season, ahead of a late charging, Fernando Alonso. After starting from the pit-lane, Sebastian Vettel managed an unbelievable driver through the field to claim third place. His race alone was filled with as much incident as any GP under the lights of the Yas Marina.