Lotus were left frustrated in Turkey after hydraulic problems saw both drivers retire from the race in Istanbul. The problems occurred after only 30 laps of the 58 lap race with Jarno Trulli retiring after 35 laps and Kovalainen after 36 laps respectively.

The disappointing result will have left the team with a major headache for the rest of the season, particularly as fellow minnows Virgin and Hispania have started to catch Lotus for reliability and performance. The solution might come with further upgrades to the car. Hydraulic problems have been a recurring fault for Lotus throughout the season and the team will need to examine where the problems lie. In truth the retirement for Kovalainen did appear to be more strategic, if the Finn had the same problem as Trulli it was a wise choice to bring Kovalainen in to the pits, if only to save the car.

The recent results will have undoubtedly disappointed the team and the drivers but Formula One is all about patience and development. The importance for the squad in their debut year is sustainability with race finishes being vital for the team to progress. The last two races for Lotus have both resulted in double retirements for the drivers, something which will undoubtedly damage morale and the overall confidence in the team.

However if the squad can introduce the new upgrades to the car relatively quickly and they can sort the recurring reliability woes they should continue to progress up the field. In terms of their overall qualifying performances Lotus are relatively strong, consistently being the quickest of the newcomers during qualifying.

The problem so far has been the race results, the best being a 13^th place finish for Heikki Kovalainen in Australia. The teams overall race performances will be the biggest point of concern with the reliability issues being the most urgent problem.

Without the hydraulic failures to both cars Lotus would have been looking at a promising finish during the race with both cars comfortably in mid table, something of a promising result for the squad.

The T127 chassis has struggled during the season but in Istanbul it appeared to be rejuvenated, as did the drivers who were engaged in their own mini battles with the fellow backmarkers. Without the mechanical problems Lotus could have recorded a promising result, but ‘could haves’ are small comfort when you need survival in the sport.

The team will need to continue developing the car particularly when it comes to reliability. The next race in Montreal, Canada will give the team another test and should produce an interesting race for the newcomers.

The talking points from Turkey may be aimed at the front of the field but there are still some questions to be asked about the backmarkers as the Championship moves to Montreal.

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