Kovalainen gives new Lotus seal of approval
Finland's Heikki Kovalainen gave his new Team Lotus car an immediate seal of approval on its track debut in Formula One testing at Spain's Valencia circuit on Wednesday.
February 02, 2011 / 18:56 IST
Finland's Heikki Kovalainen gave his new Team Lotus car an immediate seal of approval on its track debut in Formula One testing at Spain's Valencia circuit on Wednesday.
"This car is a huge step forward. It feels just great. Well done to everyone," he told the Malaysian-owned team after completing a first lap in the green and yellow T128.Technical head Mike Gascoyne said on Tuesday that last year's newcomers hoped the car would allow them to shake up the pecking order once the season started in Bahrain on March 13."The bottom line is that last year's car was always about finishing tenth (in the championship)," Gascoyne told reporters in the team motorhome."You were never going to be above 10th, it had to get you tenth place and then move on. It did that and it did it well."If you look at Toro Rosso or Sauber or Force India, they were one and a half seconds away. That is the gap you have to make up," added Gascoyne.The 2010 car was designed in a race against the clock after the team, then competing as Lotus Racing, were given a late slot in the championship.They ended the year tenth and the best of the three newcomers, albeit without any points."There were things like blown diffusers that we didn't have, F-ducts which we didn't have, and now everyone can have an adjustable rear wing. There were things there that were worth considerable time that we didn't have," said Gascoyne of last year's model."We would be pretty damn stupid if we hadn't done a much better job. I think we have done a very good solid job with good resources."If you want to start in the group with Toro Rosso, Sauber and Force India I would hope that (the new car) puts us in that group but we will find out in Bahrain," added Gascoyne. Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
