Lotus are hoping to run their DDRS at the Spanish Grand Prix in just under a months time if their latest test of the straight-line speed boosting device goes as planned.
The Enstone-based outfit will evaluate it during a test following the Bahrain GP this weekend, in the hope it will be ready for the opening race of the European leg of the season.
“Not for this race as we still have work to do with it,” replied technical director James Allison when asked when the ‘device’ will make its first appearance.
“We’ll be trialling the DDRS again between the first round of flyaways and the start of the European season when we have an opportunity to do some straight line testing,” he added.
He also confirmed that they won’t bring any major modifications to the E21 this weekend following on from the Chinese GP just a few days ago.
“We won’t be bringing anything particularly revolutionary on top of the China upgrades, but we will trial a suspension modification – internal rather than to the wishbones – which is an evolution of something we ran to good effect during pre-season,” he explained.
“You’re always trying to find the right compromise between the mechanical grip that the suspension’s articulation offers to the tyres and holding the aerodynamic platform at the optimum height from the road, and we believe this is a step forward in helping us achieve that.”
