Lotus upbeat with reliable E22 shakedown

Lotus F1 Team enjoys a boosted confidence after a solid 2-day promotional run at Jerez where its new E22 chassis debuted on track, reportedly without any major reliability problems.

All eyes were on the Renault engine in the back of the car following considerable reliability problems for the three other Renault powered teams during the teams' test at the same track in late January. The French engine manufacturer however got on with the job, implementing "minor hardware changes, software bug fixed and calibration improvements".

Renault is relieved the running, albeit limited, went well. The company was able to verify its new developments, even though on-track development was not allowed because this shakedown was considered a promotional event.

“The basic objectives were to support the Lotus programme with a Power Unit configuration and operation to allow systems checks and basic car operation. The latest Power Unit configuration was deployed without any reliability problems, allowing Lotus to complete the maximum amount of kilometres permitted on a filming day.”

Lotus missed that first Jerez test, but due to the engine problems did not miss out on a lot of mileage compared to its fellow Renault powered teams. In fact, this has led Lotus team principal Gérard Lopez to claim that his might even be better prepared that the others.

"Maybe we are better prepared. Maybe our strategy to wait and work at the factory was the better one. We will see in Bahrain. We will not mention the others, or at least not as much as they mention us.", he told France's Infosport Plus.

The first of two 4-day Bahrain tests starts on 19 February.