Lotus Racing Runs Out Of Steam In German Grand Prix

The German Grand Prix turned out to be a forgettable one for Lotus Racing as both drivers failed to cross the finishing line. Jarno Trulli retired on the fourth lap due to yet another mechanical problem, this time with his Lotus' gearbox. Heikki Kovalainen had a more eventful race, but a clash between his Lotus and Pedro de la Rosa's Sauber forced Kovalainen to retire on lap 60 and de la Rosa into the pit for repairs.

“A disappointing end but it was just one of those things that can happen when you're having to let cars past”, Kovalainen said of the clash which brought him a reprimand. “It was my mistake but I didn't see the Sauber coming. I thought I was letting the Williams past, and didn't see the Sauber so I closed the door and that was the end of the race”.

“I made a very good start and then suddenly I lost the gearbox and unfortunately that was it”, a frustrated Trulli lamented. “We tried to reset it in the pit and I went out again but it didn't work, so I think it was a mechanical issue with the box that brought the race to an early end”.

Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne was no less disappointed with the German outing. “Ultimately a very disappointing day—Jarno lost second gear and had to retire and Heikki had to retire after contact with de la Rosa”, Gascoyne said. “... Jarno's race was over before he'd really started. Heikki drove a strong race and was comfortably leading the battle of the new teams before contact forced him to retire”.