Romain Grosjean says the Lotus E23 is a "pretty adaptable car" and is confident that it will perform well at next weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.
The Frenchman finished the last race in Spain in eighth place, despite losing fourth gear, making light contact with his team-mate and overshooting his pit box.
Grosjean is the only Lotus driver to score points so far this season. He says that he has confidence in the Enstone-based outfit’s 2015 car, which is important around the Circuit de Monaco.
"The emphasis at Monaco is on low speed corners, which is historically hasn’t been our greatest strength, but this year our package as proved to be pretty good no matter what the circuit layout: the E23 is a pretty adaptable car," he said.
"Bumpy straights and a low grip surface are the other main Monaco characteristics and how well you adapt to them can make or break your weekend. We generally prefer the softer tyres of Pirelli’s range, but you need really, really soft and grippy tyres for Monaco as it’s so slippery.
"Monaco is less engine dependent than most circuits which puts a premium on the driveability and set-up of the car. The E23 has been pretty confidence-inspiring which I something very good on a street course."
It is the closest race to France and he is looking forward to the support from his home country: "It’s like an unofficial French Grand Prix first of all. It’s great to see so much French support every year and there are so many flags and banners.
"It’s a very challenging circuit and unique on the calendar. As a driver you have to stay calm and relaxed on a track that doesn’t allow for any mistakes. I’ve been super quick in the past, but I’ve also hit the walls too, so there’s a real balance to be struck."
This article first appeared on Richland F1.
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| © Octane Photographic |
Grosjean is the only Lotus driver to score points so far this season. He says that he has confidence in the Enstone-based outfit’s 2015 car, which is important around the Circuit de Monaco.
"The emphasis at Monaco is on low speed corners, which is historically hasn’t been our greatest strength, but this year our package as proved to be pretty good no matter what the circuit layout: the E23 is a pretty adaptable car," he said.
"Bumpy straights and a low grip surface are the other main Monaco characteristics and how well you adapt to them can make or break your weekend. We generally prefer the softer tyres of Pirelli’s range, but you need really, really soft and grippy tyres for Monaco as it’s so slippery.
"Monaco is less engine dependent than most circuits which puts a premium on the driveability and set-up of the car. The E23 has been pretty confidence-inspiring which I something very good on a street course."
It is the closest race to France and he is looking forward to the support from his home country: "It’s like an unofficial French Grand Prix first of all. It’s great to see so much French support every year and there are so many flags and banners.
"It’s a very challenging circuit and unique on the calendar. As a driver you have to stay calm and relaxed on a track that doesn’t allow for any mistakes. I’ve been super quick in the past, but I’ve also hit the walls too, so there’s a real balance to be struck."
This article first appeared on Richland F1.
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