2012 Lotus E20

Hampus Andersson · Feb 7, 2012

Fastest lap on the first day says absolutely nothing. To figure out the performances of the cars you might as well go to an old lady with a glass ball and ask her

we don´t know fuel or anything

It looks good for the sponsors though.

Kennett Ylitalo · Feb 7, 2012

Yep, Barrichello clokced the fastest lap last year and it did him nothing on the end. But it's good for Kimi, the best way to start the comeback season. All the critics will be silenced pretty effectively now.

Hampus Andersson · Feb 7, 2012

Kennett Ylitalo said:
Yep, Barrichello clokced the fastest lap last year and it did him nothing on the end. But it's good for Kimi, the best way to start the comeback season. All the critics will be silenced pretty effectively now.

The critics will be silenced after Australia

These tests tell you zero really.

He just have to beat his teammate consistently, that will be enough to silence the critics. Something i´m sure he will do

Kevin Cordice · Feb 7, 2012

Do anyone thinks that lotus have found a way to use the sustain ride height systym while braking? i have a strange feeling about this car

Ole Marius Myrvold · Feb 7, 2012

You know, Lotus had a sponsor "party" at Jerez today. There was some impressive, and some less impressive times.

Markus Neumann · Feb 7, 2012

Fastest lap on day 1 obviously doesn't mean jack for the car, but I think it is sufficient to show that a natural like Räikkönen doesn't need any time at all to get back up there.

Hampus Andersson · Feb 7, 2012

Kevin Cordice said:
Do anyone thinks that lotus have found a way to use the sustain ride height systym while braking? i have a strange feeling about this car

Because they topped the times today? Testing means zero. the fact that Kimi was quickest means zero.

Kevin Cordice · Feb 7, 2012

Hampus Andersson said:
Because they topped the times today? Testing means zero. the fact that Kimi was quickest means zero.

I do understand the concept of day one should not be blown out of proportion but, isn't anybody thinking of that design anymore?

Hampus Andersson · Feb 7, 2012

Kevin Cordice said:
I do understand the concept of day one should not be blown out of proportion but, isn't anybody thinking of that design anymore?

Not just day one but all of the testing days. The only real way to know the performance of cars compared to other cars is Qualifying in Australia.

System is not deemed legal so i think everyone has dropped it.

Kennett Ylitalo · Feb 8, 2012

Hampus, come on, don't shoot every comment down.. We all know it doesn't mean anything in the big picture that Lotus was marginally faster than Force India.. But them being the last would've ment big problems.. They don't need to concentrate for solving huge issues and can continue developement program as planned...From what i gather of that enthusiasm of downplaying Lotus is that it ain't your favoured team...

Even Kimi said: "It makes no difference, I mean it's the first day, and it would make a difference if it were a race weekend, but here it means nothing." But the fact that he got a good feeling of the car is a good sign.
"The feeling is pretty OK with the car and for sure I've had much worse first days and worse feelings with new cars," he added. "I was quite happy with it."
"The feeling was pretty good with the car. The first feeling is handling quite nicely so... just going with that feeling I'm quite happy, but there are areas that we can improve and that we have to improve. I'm positive about it."

source: Autosport

Hampus Andersson · Feb 8, 2012

Nono im not, im half-fin so im rooting for Kimi obviously.
Just as i did with Hakkinen.

But like Kimi says it means jack if he's on top of the timeboards.
He could have been last and it would mean the same thing except for sponsors.

Im hoping the car is quick but i will wait until i see qualifying.
Even though the car feels good it doesn't mean it's quick.
The problem is he has nobody to target so when it's time to really push, then you will find out what the car is missing.

Kennett Ylitalo · Feb 8, 2012

That's good to know

Lotus kinda was on day two when all others were on day one..

Hampus Andersson · Feb 9, 2012

Yea

Here´s a good picture of some "flow-wiz" paint, shows the path of the air which is cool.

ENDR · Feb 9, 2012

How do they apply it anyway? Do they splash a bunch of it on the front wing and let it spray all over the car while in motion or do they use some small paint reservoirs?

Hampus Andersson · Feb 9, 2012

ENDR said:
How do they apply it anyway? Do they splash a bunch of it on the front wing and let it spray all over the car while in motion or do they use some small paint reservoirs?

I think they just spray it on parts the want to check aero on, then do a lap or two and come in and study the flow of it.

Kennett Ylitalo · Feb 16, 2012

A leak: Kimi has an option to switch team after the first season unless he is at least 8h in the championships...

Source: Autosport via Ilta-sanomat (couldn't find the article in Autosport even thou they gave that as a source..)

Hampus Andersson · Feb 17, 2012

Possibly a move to RBR?

that would be sick! Perfect man to chop of the germans finger.

ufunacaoenn · Feb 17, 2012

Hampus Andersson said:
Possibly a move to RBR? that would be sick! Perfect man to chop of the germans finger.

Only if Webber allows it.

Chris Jenkins · Feb 17, 2012

Apparently Raikkonen has got a get-out clause in his contract if the 2012 isn't competitive. I think the benchmark is 8th in the driver's championship.

(Edit: As already mentioned above. How observant of me!

)