The Lotus F1 Team may still be fighting for second in the constructors' championship but team principal Eric Boullier has admitted that third is a more realistic goal.
With a maximum of 86 points still available to the team, the 37 point deficit to Mercedes - who currently occupies second place - isn't impossible. However, judging by recent race pace third is a more sensible aim.
Kimi Raikkonen's first lap exit at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Romain Grosjean's fourth place saw the Enstone based outfit slip further behind Mercedes and Ferrari, although the team arguably have a faster car than the latter.
Looking ahead to the final two rounds of the season, he said: "There are two races left and 86 points available, so mathematically it’s still possible and we’re not going to stop pushing in any regard. Of course, to score maximum points you need to occupy the top steps of the podium and there’s a Red Bull plus Sebastian Vettel shaped problem there.
"Certainly for us, it would be good if Seb took an early winter holiday! Looking at the standings and how the teams have been scoring in the last few races, you would have to say that third certainly looks to be a little more within reach, but our approach is the same; to keep pushing all the way."
However, it was clear that the Lotus E21 had the speed to challenge for a podium finish at the Yas Marina Circuit. The aim for the next round in Austin, Texas, is to return to the top three.
"We missed out on a podium in Abu Dhabi, but it’s clear that the car had the pace to be there," he admitted. "That’s where we want to be as that’s where you get the most points. It would obviously be fantastic if we could get both of our drivers back on the podium before the end of the season, and if they could both be there in Austin I’d be a very happy man."
Trackside operations director Alan Permane believes the circuit should suit their car: "There are certainly no particular features of the circuit that give us cause for concern. The layout has a similar feel to Korea in many aspects, with high speed change of direction in the opening sector, a long straight in the middle sector, and low speed traction events combined with a long continuous curve in the final sector. It’s a circuit we should be comfortable with by all accounts."
Both Lotus drivers are eager to return to America for another taste of Texas. Romain Grosjean was even inspired to buy a Harley Davidson motorbike after his trip last year. "My first visit was for the race last year and I definitely like the USA," he said.
"It’s such a big country and I know I’ve seen only a very small part of it. Since last year I’ve bought myself a Harley Davidson, so visiting Austin last year must have made an impression! I’ve had it customized so maybe I’ll have to ride it around the US sometime in the future. As well as great motor bikes, we saw so many enthusiastic fans last time which was really great."
The Frenchman's stunning run of three consecutive podium finishes came to an end in Abu Dhabi but he is determined to taste champagne once again: "We’re certainly aiming for the best performance we can get; let’s see what happens."
Team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, who is back on good terms with the team as a deal with Quantum Motorsports edges towards completion, was also looking forward to visiting the USA. "After going there for the first time last year – like everyone – I’m particularly looking forward to this one," he revealed.
"I like the American atmosphere, it’s just a relaxed environment. They know how to have fun, and most of all they love racing."
Lotus changed to using a long wheelbase car at the Italian Grand Prix, but Raikkonen switched back to the shorter wheelbase in Abu Dhabi - which he was planning to use for the final two races. He said: "It has a better feeling for me and seems to make it easier for me to get more of what I want from the car. We’ve been trying to get rid of understeer to get the car more as I want it and the shorter car helps with this."
However, Raikkonen's on-going back problems have caused him to pull out of the final two races of the season. He has decided to undergo a back operation in Salzburg instead of taking part in the United States and Brazilian Grands Prix, so that his preparations for 2014 will not be impacted.
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| (c) Lotus F1 Team |
Kimi Raikkonen's first lap exit at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Romain Grosjean's fourth place saw the Enstone based outfit slip further behind Mercedes and Ferrari, although the team arguably have a faster car than the latter.
Looking ahead to the final two rounds of the season, he said: "There are two races left and 86 points available, so mathematically it’s still possible and we’re not going to stop pushing in any regard. Of course, to score maximum points you need to occupy the top steps of the podium and there’s a Red Bull plus Sebastian Vettel shaped problem there.
"Certainly for us, it would be good if Seb took an early winter holiday! Looking at the standings and how the teams have been scoring in the last few races, you would have to say that third certainly looks to be a little more within reach, but our approach is the same; to keep pushing all the way."
However, it was clear that the Lotus E21 had the speed to challenge for a podium finish at the Yas Marina Circuit. The aim for the next round in Austin, Texas, is to return to the top three.
"We missed out on a podium in Abu Dhabi, but it’s clear that the car had the pace to be there," he admitted. "That’s where we want to be as that’s where you get the most points. It would obviously be fantastic if we could get both of our drivers back on the podium before the end of the season, and if they could both be there in Austin I’d be a very happy man."
Trackside operations director Alan Permane believes the circuit should suit their car: "There are certainly no particular features of the circuit that give us cause for concern. The layout has a similar feel to Korea in many aspects, with high speed change of direction in the opening sector, a long straight in the middle sector, and low speed traction events combined with a long continuous curve in the final sector. It’s a circuit we should be comfortable with by all accounts."
Both Lotus drivers are eager to return to America for another taste of Texas. Romain Grosjean was even inspired to buy a Harley Davidson motorbike after his trip last year. "My first visit was for the race last year and I definitely like the USA," he said.
"It’s such a big country and I know I’ve seen only a very small part of it. Since last year I’ve bought myself a Harley Davidson, so visiting Austin last year must have made an impression! I’ve had it customized so maybe I’ll have to ride it around the US sometime in the future. As well as great motor bikes, we saw so many enthusiastic fans last time which was really great."
The Frenchman's stunning run of three consecutive podium finishes came to an end in Abu Dhabi but he is determined to taste champagne once again: "We’re certainly aiming for the best performance we can get; let’s see what happens."
Team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, who is back on good terms with the team as a deal with Quantum Motorsports edges towards completion, was also looking forward to visiting the USA. "After going there for the first time last year – like everyone – I’m particularly looking forward to this one," he revealed.
"I like the American atmosphere, it’s just a relaxed environment. They know how to have fun, and most of all they love racing."
Lotus changed to using a long wheelbase car at the Italian Grand Prix, but Raikkonen switched back to the shorter wheelbase in Abu Dhabi - which he was planning to use for the final two races. He said: "It has a better feeling for me and seems to make it easier for me to get more of what I want from the car. We’ve been trying to get rid of understeer to get the car more as I want it and the shorter car helps with this."
However, Raikkonen's on-going back problems have caused him to pull out of the final two races of the season. He has decided to undergo a back operation in Salzburg instead of taking part in the United States and Brazilian Grands Prix, so that his preparations for 2014 will not be impacted.
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