Boullier: Lotus F1 will not be the only one absent at Jérez

Lotus F1 Team is going through a difficult period despite good results. Facing significant financial difficulties after having waited a long time for support from Quantum Motorsports, the teamenstone chose to replace Kimi Räikkönen with Pastor Maldonado. The announcement of his absence from the winter tests held in Jérez from January 28 to 31 only reinforced concerns, but Éric Boullier assures that the situation is not dramatic with the introduction of the 6l turbo/hybrid V1.6 …even if the extension of the partnership with Renault Sport F1 is still waiting.

" Everything's going good here. Lotus will be on the grid this year and for a long time to come”, assured the Team Principal of Lotus F1 Team on BBC Sport. “You will see that we will not be the only team not to be in Jérez. We had already indicated the previous month that it would be tight, most teams agree with this fact. It is true that the car won't be ready in time, but we will be soon after. We are aware that we are going to miss a third of the tests and we are going to have to do things a little differently so as not to lose too much. »

Éric Boullier even believes that his team will be able to gain an advantage by letting their opponents participate in the first session. “In a way it's not so bad: we'll have time to observe others and no one will be able to see what we're doing. Remember that there is a significant change in the rules this year and everyone will be watching each other closely. »