Lotus team principal Eric Boullier is adamant that the Enstone outfit will never favour one of its drivers over the other, despite pairing a former champion with a rookie.
The team, when it was previously Renault, clearly focused its attention on one driver, but Boullier says things have changed and both Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean can expect equal treatment as they vie for the title.
“Historically, this team has always pushed for one driver – a definite leader,” he told the official Formula 1 website. “But that has definitely changed. It’s a thing of the past.
“I want two fast drivers because that is the way you get ahead in the constructors’ championship. So both drivers have the same status.”
The Frenchman recognises that 2007 world champion Raikkonen has far more experience than Grosjean, but he doesn’t believe that should warrant preferential treatment.
“Obviously Kimi, with his experience, his character and personality, tends to have a certain degree of leadership,” he added. “But in fact it is not leadership but probably more attention. On the other hand Romain is digging a little place for himself nicely and is getting a lot of respect every weekend from the team.
“You must not forget that Kimi has done something in the range of 160 Grands Prix and Romain has just finished his twelfth Grand Prix this weekend.
“Both know that we will never favour anyone – depending on the individual strategy each of them is on. It is up to them to qualify well and have a good race result. We just give them the tools to deliver on equal terms.”
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