Eric Boullier “Lotus F1 Team is one of the top teams”

“We only did the first race”, puts Eric Boullier, Lotus team principal, into perspective F1 Team, after the Australian Grand Prix and the surprise victory of its driver, Kimi Räikkönen. But even if there are still many things to do and show, the Frenchman believes that the team?enstone is well on its way to achieving its goal this year. “We have openly stated that we want to be a top team this year and starting the season this way means we should have the means to fight to achieve our goal of finishing third in the Constructors’ Championship.”, declares the Mayennais.

“I think Lotus F1 Team is really one of the top teams now”, estimates the team principal of the stable. “If we can find ourselves in a position to play for victories, then we are in the place we were aiming for. Based on what we achieved in the first race, we can build on this great dynamic to one day become world champions again. » To justify the good form of his team, the Frenchman of course cites their better management of Pirelli tires, a factor which had already allowed the team to shine in 2012. “We already saw this last year. A few times during the season we caught the leaders because we had a different strategy or because our car made better use of its tires.", he remembers. “We have made great efforts to maintain the strengths of the E20 and it is true that with the 2013 tires deteriorating a little more, this puts us in a better position. That said, Melbourne is such a special circuit that we have to wait a little longer before commenting on our potential. »

Regardless, the Enstone team did not rest on its laurels before heading into the second meeting of the season, this weekend in Malaysia on the Sepang circuit: “We have new developments, which is good news, and the strong heat should help us do even better”, expects Eric Boullier.