Lotus: Heikki Kovalainen pessimistic

Heikki Kovalainen is not very confident before starting the season with Lotus Racing. While most drivers were able to enjoy seven to eight days of driving during the month of February, the Finn only spent three days at the wheel of the Lotus T127. “ I have never started a season with so few attempts », Kovalainen admits to the daily Turun Sanomat.

Furthermore, the performance of his Lotus is not brilliant and the Finn doubts the level of competitiveness he will be able to display. Asked about the difference between his Lotus T127 and the Minardi he was able to test six years ago, Kovalainen was not categorical. “ It?s hard to say, the tires are so different. »

In addition, the former pilot McLaren knows where his team has to work. “ The Lotus is undoubtedly less advanced in terms of aerodynamics than the Minardi, compared to the leading teams. » During the last tests in Barcelona, ​​the Lotus T127 was on average five seconds behind the leading cars. The verdict will be established in Bahrain, where no team will be able to hide its game.

Before the Bahrain Grand Prix, Lotus Racing will have taken part in two test sessions, in Jerez and Barcelona, ​​for eight days on track. Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen spent three days at the wheel, Fairuz Fauzy, reserve driver, drove two days.