Team Lotus Brings Home Both Cars At 2011 Turkish Grand Prix, Falls Short Of Target

Team Lotus has fallen short of its lofty target of competing rivals at the mid-table for the fourth race of the 2011 Formula One season at the Turkish Grand Prix, though at least both drivers Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen managed to finish 18th and 19th, respectively. With high tyre wear a concern for Trulli and hydraulic issues on Kovalainen's Lotus, the entire team prefers to concentrate on the improvement in performance and race timing, along with the changes to be introduced for the Spanish Grand Prix.

“With Heikki we tried to stick to two stops, but the degradation of the tyres was higher than we expected so we switched Jarno to a three-stop plan. Heikki's car then developed a hydraulic leak and we were concerned that he would not be able to get to the end”, Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne said. “However, overall it is good to get two cars to the finish, and we look forward to Barcelona where we will have our big update and I hope that we can take the fight to those in front”.

“Looking at the lap times I am very happy that we keep improving every weekend. The whole team is excited about the updates we have for Barcelona, but for now I am very pleased with this weekend”, Team Principal Tony Fernandes added. “Here in Turkey last year, neither car finished so this is another positive development in our growth. We keep making small steps and moving forward and that has always been the plan—grow in a measured, controlled way that gives us the best foundations for future success”.