Lotus E21 Renault

[anzx]

So there was no so much diference between each other...

[Kansas]

The focus of the team should be finding a good setup to switch on the tires in ALL CONDITIONS

There are more performance to be found from Tires than new parts.

[Donuts]

The focus of the team should be finding a good setup to switch on the tires in ALL CONDITIONS

There are more performance to be found from Tires than new parts.

So it seems and don't forget they also have to learn how to switch them on for a single lap (if it's even possible due to the minor changes allowed between qualification and race).

[Huntresa]

The focus of the team should be finding a good setup to switch on the tires in ALL CONDITIONS

There are more performance to be found from Tires than new parts.

But its in the car DNA to work like this, its hard to change major characteristics of a car mid season.

[kwanchepan]

Very promising news

Lotus confirms 'plenty' of new parts on way

Lotus trackside operations director Alan Permane has said the Enstone-based outfit will have 『plenty』 of 『interesting new parts』 to test at Silverstone next week.

Lotus took a 2-3 finish at the German Grand Prix last weekend, with Kimi Raikkonen challenging Sebastian Vettel in the closing stages and eventually finishing just one second back.

The squad will now be out to maintain that form after a disappointing few races in Britain, Canada and Monaco.

「We』re very happy to be back on the podium again after a short spell of somewhat bleak races,」 Permane told Lotus』 official team website. 「Both cars ran faultlessly from start to finish and for a good portion of the race it did look like we would be able to take the fight to Sebastian, but ultimately we didn't quite manage it.

「The win may have eluded us, but to have both drivers pick up silverware and also outscore our rivals in the Constructor's Championship means we can't be too disappointed.」

「We've now got the Silverstone test to prepare for – with plenty of interesting new parts on the way for assessment – so there's actually not much in the way of rest before we head to Hungary,」 he added, 「but we』ll be looking to head into the shutdown on the back of another good result to give everyone a satisfying and well-earned break.」

As for what cost Raikkonen the win at the Nürburgring, Permane felt the time lost early on was crucial.

「The damage was done when Kimi was held up by Lewis after his first pit stop [on lap 8], but he came back fighting at the end of the race to finish a very close second with a little help from the safety car. We did consider running him on a two-stop strategy, but it would have meant an incredibly long final stint and ultimately represented a sizeable risk, as we could see the tyre performance dropping.

「The path we chose guaranteed second place with the possibility of a late charge for the win, while the alternative – despite also offering the potential for victory – would have very likely resulted in the tyres falling off a cliff and dropping Kimi behind Fernando [Alonso].

「To be honest we did expect slightly more performance from his final set of soft tyres, but he was right with Sebastian at the end so I think the right call was made,」 Permane concluded.

[iotar__]

So Grosjean ran old engine cover?

Yes. The before-Silverstone one.
KR ran the new bodywork whitch, in Germany, received two addtional cooling oulets around the upper wishbone.

And what was the possible logic behind it? They can't afford it for two cars, they needed to run it to gather data for comparison? But in the full race?

I hoped we were through with Silverstone 'updates are 'better' " logic based on qualifying (or whichever point of reference one chooses that fits backwards).

[Kansas]

So Grosjean ran old engine cover?

Yes. The before-Silverstone one.
KR ran the new bodywork whitch, in Germany, received two addtional cooling oulets around the upper wishbone.

And what was the possible logic behind it? They can't afford it for two cars, they needed to run it to gather data for comparison? But in the full race?

I hoped we were through with Silverstone 'updates are 'better' " logic based on qualifying (or whichever point of reference one chooses that fits backwards).

follow Lotus 's tweets.

They mentioned Romain swap the old bodywork halfway in FP3. Personal preference of evaluation, is anyone 's guess

[Forza]

Silverstone test - 17/07/13

[radosav]

Silverstone test - 17/07/13

I see that they use protection from possible front left tyre explosion !

[raymondu999]

Looks like they're evaluating the change in wake from the tyres.

[stefan_]

Young Drivers Test 2013 Day 1 (Silverstone) - 17.07.2013

[stefan_]

Young Drivers Test 2013 Day 2 (Silverstone) - 18.07.2013

DRD ears opened. Valsecchi behind the steering wheel.

via Lotus F1™ Team

[Tim.Wright]

I really think there is a pit lane competition of who has the biggest aero rake.

[kwanchepan]

PDRS Test

[stefan_]

Young Drivers Test 2013 Day 2 (Silverstone) - 18.07.2013