After releasing two render images of the E22 earlier this year, Lotus have publicly unveiled its 2014 challenger as the second pre-season test began at the Bahrain International Circuit.
The Enstone team’s design is the last of the new generation of Formula 1 cars to breaking cover, following the decision to skip the first pre-season test in Jerez, Spain.
Romain Grosjean will shakedown the E22 on day one, though his team-mate Pastor Maldonado has already completed 100km of running in a demonstration run at Jerez earlier this month.
The E22 features an unusual ‘twin-tusk’ nose design that caused problems for the team in passing the mandatory front crash-tests as outlined by the FIA.
Despite that, the sport’s governing body is satisfied with the Enstone team’s interpretation of the regulations with the twin-tusk nose which features on their new E22.
Technical director Nick Chester said there were no legality concerns about the team’s unique approach to the 2014 rules.
“The nose certainly is quite interesting,” he said after the car ran in public for the first time in Bahrain. “We think it’s a nice solution and it’s quite innovative.”
“Naturally, as with any interpretation of new regulations, we’ve talked with the FIA to ensure that they are happy with the design. It’s nice to have something a little bit different and we’re happy with our path having seen what everyone else is doing with their cars in this area.”
Chester described the whole car as “an elegant solution for the 2014 regulations”. He said the radical change in regulations had led to the creation of a “completely new” car.
“There’s very little which could be carried across from previous cars. That said, in certain areas we’ve been able to follow the same philosophies such as in our approach to aerodynamics and suspension, where lessons learnt with previous cars have been highly relevant.”
Chester took over from James Allison as technical director last year. Lotus were the last team to put their 2014 car on-track but he remains confident about their new racer.
“Already Mercedes and Red Bull have interesting aspects to their cars, but looking at the E22 after seeing everyone else’s interpretations, we’re still very pleased with the direction we’ve taken and the hard work of everyone at Enstone really has created an elegant car.”
Former Caterham driver Charles Pic appeared alongside Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado at a presentation of the E22 in Bahrain, with the team confirming Pic as this year’s third (test) driver.
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Lotus has confirmed it has agreed a new long-term engine deal with Renault.
The completion of a deal for this year was a formality, although the team has stated that the new contract to use its 1.6-litre turbocharged V6s is for “2014 and beyond”.
Lotus has been powered by Renault engines since 2001 (operating as the firm’s factory team from 2002-10) and also from 1995-97.
In the intervening years it used non-works powerplants based on the marque’s units, badged as Playlife, during its Benetton era.
The Renault-powered Lotus E22 made its public debut in Bahrain on Wednesday, and Renault Sport F1 president Jean-Michel Jaliner stressed the close collaboration with the team even though Red Bull is its frontline squad.
“We are pleased to see our partnership officially confirmed as the E22 takes to the track for its first official test,” said Jalinier.
“The relationship between Viry and Enstone has gone from strength to strength over the past few years.
“This is illustrated in no better way than the excellent – and very close – collaboration on the 2014 car, which is more technically complex than any previous designs.
“We hope this spirit will pay dividends on track this season and going forward into the new F1 technical era.”
Lotus is understood to have held talks with rival engine manufacturers Mercedes and Ferrari last year, although continuing with Renault was always the most likely option.
But while two have been working together, it took until now for the deal to be finalised.
“The Lotus F1 team and Renault Sport F1 have enjoyed a successful partnership these past few years and we look forward to continue to build on our relationship and collaboration in 2014 and beyond,” said Lotus CEO Matthew Carter.
“It is the beginning of a new era in Formula 1 and we are pleased to embrace it together with Renault Sport F1.”
Source: Autosport.com
Charles Pic has been named as the Enstone team’s third driver. Details on the news as taken from Autosport.com.
Former Caterham and Marussia racer Charles Pic has become the Lotus Formula 1 team’s third driver for 2014.
The team has also announced roles for Formula Renault 3.5 race winner Marco Sorensen and sportscar driver Nicolas Prost in its test and development programme.
Pic lost his Caterham seat at the end of 2013, but will become Lotus’s main reserve this year.
“Obviously, the big change is that I won’t be racing in Formula 1, but I will be at the races and working in meetings which will help me develop and progress as a driver,” said Pic.
“Working with a top team is the next step in my development and I think I will learn a lot from this.
“I’m happy with my progress from my first two seasons in Formula 1 and at 24 I still have good potential for the future.”
Sorensen, who was already a Lotus team protege, has been promoted to ‘reserve and development driver’ status for 2014.
“I’ll be doing a lot of the simulator work this year, and then we’ll see if there are any tests,” said the 23-year-old Dane.
“I’m looking forward to doing a good job in the simulator and helping to get some extra pace in the car as it’s a great way to show my value to the team.
“I’m probably going to come to six or seven F1 races during the season and that will be fantastic experience too.”
While Prost has the same ‘reserve and development’ title as Sorensen, he will be the lead simulator driver and has already carried out a large amount of E22 development work at the factory.
Pic replaces 2012 GP2 champion Davide Valsecchi as Lotus’s ‘number three’.
Valsecchi was critical of the team last year when it overlooked him in favour of Caterham reserve and former grand prix racer Heikki Kovalainen following Kimi Raikkonen’s early exit from the race line-up to undergo back surgery.