The eight weeks between the last race of 2013 and the first pre-season test of the 2014 season was always going to present some challenges for the teams, but it seems Lotus has confirmed it is behind schedule after team boss Eric Boullier requested that the first pre-season test be delayed by a week.
The test, set to take place at Formula 1’s regular proving ground of Jerez on January 28th, is earlier than normal because of the major regulation changes imposed on next season.
The teams want as much time as possible between the first test and the second in Bahrain to react to any unexpected reliability issues.
Lotus has however requested it be delayed during a meeting in Paris on Monday of the F1 Strategy Group.
It’s yet to be agreed and it’s reported that Lotus’s wish isn’t likely to get past rival team bosses with one being quoted as saying: “Everyone knew the date for Jerez, and everyone made their plans accordingly. If someone is not ready, that is not anyone else’s problem.”
Last week Lotus driver Romain Grosjean denied they were behind schedule despite revealing that he had only driven the E22 in the simulator for the first time in early-December, whilst most major rivals had already been testing their’s for several weeks.
Lotus has also confirmed that it will not take part in Pirelli’s tyre test next week.
