Lotus are looking for yet another step forward next weekend in Monaco after the team scored its first points courtesy of Romain Grosjean in Spain last week.
The Frenchman finished eighth but according to technical director Nick Chester, he could have been higher had it not been for a sensor failure on the Renault power unit which hurt his performance.
“It was really good to get some points on the board,” he said. “We always said we’d be back competing close to the front by Barcelona, but it’s easier said than done!
“Romain would have been even quicker in the race without an issue with a sensor on the power unit.”
Despite that, Grosjean was able to compete with the Ferraris and beat both Force Indias and McLarens, and Chester reckons more points will come in Monaco where he believes the E22 will do well.
“Yes I think it will,” he said when asked if their car will suit Monaco’s tight street circuit layout. “Monaco is a bit of a strange place – a one off – so it’s always dangerous to assume your car will be good there. But I think it will suit the E22 and we should go fairly well.”
The Enstone team will be bringing further updates as well as a customised ‘Monaco-spec’ package.
“We’ll also be bringing some specific parts aimed at giving us more downforce at what is the highest downforce track of the year. Other new parts will help tune the car for the bumpy and low speed track characteristics.
“The parts we’ve tested so far look good and we’ll also have a new fuel from Total which should further improve power and driveability.”
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