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The Lotus F1 Team E21 has been unleashed
today from the team’s Enstone base in
Oxfordshire, England.
Revealed to team partners on site, streamed live
on YouTube and broadcast live on Sky Sports News
in the UK, the E21 will contest the 2013 FIA
Formula 1 World Championship with drivers Kimi
Räikkönen (E21 n°7) and Romain Grosjean (E20
n°8).
With only limited changes to the technical and
sporting regulations from 2012, the E21
continues the design themes seen in its
race-winning predecessor, the E20. However, it
is pushing last year’s concepts even further as
well as incorporating some innovative technical
solutions. The new car also features a slightly
tweaked livery, incorporating an extra touch or
red.
Joining the team as Third Driver is reigning GP2
series champion Davide Valsecchi, whilst Nicolas
Prost will perform Development Driver duties.
Jérôme D’Ambrosio will continue with the team as
Reserve Driver.
Eric Boullier, Team Principal:
"I think it is fair to say that great things are
possible from the team and the E21. The leap we
made from 2011 to 2012 showed what we are
capable of. Add to this the continuity and
potential of our driver line-up and we have a
very powerful cocktail for the season ahead. Our
ambitious plan to turn ourselves into one of the
top teams in Formula 1 is coming to fruition and
now we need to harness this with strong and
regular podium results."
James Allison, Technical Director:
"The E20 proved itself to be an effective racing
car – particularly towards the end of last
season – so there is an element of expectation
from the E21 and plenty to build upon. We have
continued with our design themes and tried to
create a more efficient and faster racing car
based on all the lessons we learnt last year.
How successful we have been in this task will
only be discovered when we take to the track at
the winter tests and – more significantly – at
Grands Prix."
Kimi Räikkönen, Race Driver:
"Of course, I’ve not driven the E21 yet so it’s
difficult to say what could or could not be
possible for the year ahead. We know we had a
good car last season, but everyone is working
hard to make the best package. I will be working
with the team to help get the car as strong as
we can, then in Melbourne we’ll have our first
taste of results. It’s a long season from there.
2012 was a good start; let’s see what we can do
in 2013."
Romain Grosjean, Race Driver:
"I can clearly say I want to score a lot of
points for the team – everybody knows that – but
I think it would be wrong for me to say I want
to finish in a particular position in the
championship. I really want to jump out of the
car as many times as possible thinking that I
did a good job. Knowing that everything I could
do, I did, and feeling proud of my race or
session. I hope to feel that way as many times
as possible this year."
Technical information, please
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