No respite for F1′s inconsistent package
Lotus will be hoping for an improvement in fortunes during this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, after a poor finish to the German Grand Prix the team will be expectant of a race finish. The Hungarian Grand Prix welcomes the Formula One parade just a week after the race at Hockenheim, leaving little time for preparation for teams.
While the schedule provides no respite for the teams it does allow the new teams more opportunities to develop their cars and adapt to the new circuits quicker. For Lotus it will be a test of stamina during the race, whilst qualifying and practice sessions have produced positives race results haven’t appeared for either driver. In the build up to the Hungarian Grand Prix the team can feel re-assured in the knowledge that they have two experienced drivers.
Heikki Kovalainen in particular will be a major boost to the team having been a previous winner of the Grand Prix for McLaren in 2008. However while Lotus have experience in their drivers they have inconsistency and unreliability in their car, something which has plagued the team of good finishes throughout the season.
The team will unquestionably need to return to form on the demanding and difficult Hungaroring which leaves little opportunity for overtaking. The race itself has been on the Formula One calendar since 1986, establishing itself as one of the familiar venues on the calendar.
Despite the Hungaroring’s popularity with fans it is not one of the driver favourite venues, because of its mix of tight corners and a relatively short layout it means that overtaking is limited. The result of the limited overtaking places is racing which often ends with a processional feel where a pole position will almost guarantee a win.
However that doesn’t mean to say that the circuit hasn’t witnessed any drama over the years, particularly last year when Felipe Massa survived his horror crash during qualifying.
While that was thankfully a one-off incident Lotus will still need their drivers to perform at their best over the race distance if they want any sign of improvement. The main test will come during Sunday’s race while the battle for the championship intensifies the experienced heads at Lotus will be looking at their options for the rest of the year.
If the drivers can record another finish it should herald another step in the right direction, however if the result is another non finish it could signal a disastrous conclusion to the season.
The priority for Lotus is sustainability and more significantly finding the reliability and race finishes which have deserted the team so often. The expectation will be high the question is can Lotus deliver?
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