Mid-season review, Lotus and Ferrari

Both teams have shown strong pace throughout the year, but have dropped back on a number of occasions. One team have 3 wins to their name already this year, while one does not. Whether they deserve a win is another story, they came so close on occasions but that elusive win was taken away.

(c) Octane Photographic

Ferrari may have taken 3 wins and seen Fernando Alonso finish consistently in the points, but there is one factor which is dragging them down. Felipe Massa. While Alonso tops the table on 164 points, Massa lies in a lowly 14th on 25 points. If Ferrari are to set a constructors title challenge, Felipe needs to buck up. Lotus have impressed in 2012 after a mediocre 2011, with Grosjean and Raikkonen both finishing on the podium. Now, all they need it that win.

Lotus
Grading: A-

Lotus have took the challenge of "most improved" to Sauber with force. After dropping back in 2011, the Enstone base have produced a consistent and fast car. The E20 seems to work well on pretty much any circuit, but qualifying has been the real difficulty. Both Raikkonen and Grosjean have found the car difficult to qualify in a position reflective of their race pace. In the opening round, Raikkonen dropped out in Q1. As the season has progressed, up to the summer break now, the team have seemed to solve the problem.

Overall, their time comes in the race. On many occasions they have had the fastest car on the track, and that can be shown by their podium scores this season. Raikkonen has taken 3 second place finishes and 2 thirds, while Romain has scored 1 second and 2 thirds respectively. The turn around Grosjean has had is quite astonishing, from mistake ridden rookie in 2009 to mature and controlled racer in 2012 (with slight aggressive tendencies).

Lotus's E20 has taken a hit on many occasions this year. Grosjean was cruelly bumped off track in Melbourne. That wasn't after a stunning qualifying lap, putting him 3rd on the grid in his very own comeback. Despite losing points in the early rounds, Lotus have benefited from Mclaren and Massa's troubles to challenge for the constructors title. With the 2 drivers comeback's showing they are stronger than ever, they will be sure to fight in the remaining 9 races.

Driver reviews:
Kimi Raikkonen: Many doubted how strong Kimi would be on his return to Formula 1, but he has proved that it was the right decision. With 5 strong podium finishes, that elusive win will help top off an impressive year. The "Iceman" has impressed me immensely, particularly for his top notch race craft and overtaking skills; despite a few years out. However, Lotus failed him in China when a good result was on the cards. It was a poor call to leave Kimi out and hence, his tyres found that ever discussed cliff. Apart from that, Kimi has impressed and shown what he is made of. Highlights? That near win in Bahrain, his mature run to 2nd in Valencia and that battle with Lewis for 1st in Hungary, which he just missed out on.

Grade: A

Romain Grosjean: Always seen with a smile, Grosjean is a new man. After a collision filled, mistake ridden rookie year in 2009 Romain has arrived back in style. Despite the early retirements in Australia and Malaysia, he has done a solid job and kept Lotus in the hunt for the constructors title (something Massa has failed to do for Ferrari). I was sceptical at the beginning of the season when Lotus signed him, could he deliver what the team promised? Was he ready? His speed and determination have swayed my scepticism. Low point of the year? Probably losing out on a possible win in Valencia, when he was closing in on Vettel. There have been so many highlights, his impressive qualifying laps in Hungary and Australia, his first podium in Bahrain and a strong strategy decision in Canada which put him into 2nd. Grosjean just needs to stay out of trouble and keep this pace up.

Grade: A-

JLF1 View: Lotus have turned into one of my favourite F1 teams. At the start of the year, I was not sure how the season would pan out for them. However, they have surprised me to the point where I think they could be real title challengers, particularly with Kimi and the constructors title.

Your view: Dominik Wilde @dwewilde1 "Definitley performed above expectations. Although Lotus had an impressive pre season. Before that I don't think anyone expected this."

Ferrari
Grade: A-

I was really unsure as to what grade to give Ferrari, has their performance as a whole so far been an A or a B, A- or B+? In the end, Alonso's pure control and speed has swayed the grading. After starting the season with what was described as a "dog of a" car, the team have really turned their season around. The Maranello squad have been working off the clock to get the F2012 fighting at the front. Alonso seems to have got to grips with the car, but on the other side of the garage it is a different story.

The team now have to decide if they want to focus on the drivers or constructors title, because the latter is pure impossible with Massa vacating the 2nd seat. Alonso has outperformed the car, much like Kovalainen at Caterham, while Massa has not. This makes Ferrari's predicament even worse, could someone else help them take both titles? If Raikkonen or Hamilton drove the F2012, they could probably help Ferrari challenge for the constructors. But in their current situation, with 1st and 14th placed drivers’ championship positions, they will never take the fight to Red Bull and Mclaren.

The 3 wins taken this year really show the talent of Alonso. While Massa has struggled to make it into the points, Fernando has shown consistent pace and speed at every round. You could argue that he won in Valencia by luck, or that his Malaysia win was thanks to others making errors, but you have to finish to win. I also warmed to Alonso more after his emotional Valencia podium ceremony; you can tell how much he wanted it.

The prancing horse may have succeeded on one side of the garage, but without a strong 2nd driver they can never fully find success.

Driver reviews:
Fernando Alonso: What can I say? He has just been top of the class so far this season. 3 wins, points in every round and top of the table, what more could he want? Well, more wins of course, but he is sitting comfortably at the moment. Alonso has always been known as "one of the best drivers in the field", but this year it really shows. With a difficult car, he has managed to produce some stunning and controlled drivers; even when the car is not looking good. Any problem with the F2012, he seems to work his way around it. Fernando can start the summer break happy, he may have not scored as many points as he could have, but he has still shown F1 what he is made of. A true deserving champion, if you are predicting that already.

Grade: A*

Felipe Massa: What can I say? Where has Felipe circa 2007 and 2008 gone? He has been in his team mate's shadow for 2 seasons already, but he can still not break out of it. A best result of 4th in Britain shows that he has some pace, but the rest of the season has not gone to plan. 6 non scores has meant that 14th in the championship is where he currently sits, not a good way to go into the summer break. His future at Ferrari is also one of the main talking points, will he stay or will he go? Personally, I feel despite his talent, Massa should go elsewhere as Ferrari need someone who can be up in the top 5 and helping them get the constructors title. Massa needs to turn his season around, and fast. Qualifying needs to be improved, his race pace needs to be more consistent and he needs to try and get his head around where he is losing out to Fernando. Then, maybe he can get a good result.

Grade: C

JLF1 View: Ferrari have dropped behind Lotus and Mclaren thanks to their poor performing 2nd driver. If they want to challenge, they need to replace him. However, if Massa can show he is worth keeping, then he will have to win a race before 2012 ends, or at least return to the podium.

Your view: @FakeSauber "Ferrari have proved they can do amazing, but they must have a driver on good form to do that!"