Formula 1

KIMI IN HIS LOTUS E21 TOPS THE TIME SHEETS ON DAY FOUR.

Kimi Räikkönen completed his second day at the wheel of the E21 by setting the fastest time to conclude an encouraging week for Lotus F1 Team at the first pre-season test in Jerez.

The Finn ran through a continued programme of aerodynamic assessments as the fine Jerez weather continued. Proceedings today were interrupted by red flag periods including a lengthy pause for track run-off repairs, meaning track running concluded 30 minutes later than billed.

Fast Facts:

• Track: Jerez, Spain, 4.4km
• Chassis: E21-01
• Weather: Sunny, ambient 5-17°C, track 2-24°C
• Programme: Systems checks, temperature monitoring, data correlation, assessment of the performance of the car with its initial aerodynamic package, exhaust exit evaluations.
• Laps Completed: 83
• Classification: P1, 1:18.148
• Interruptions: Red flags and track repairs.

What’s Next?

The team returns to Enstone. Testing resumes in Barcelona on February 19.

Kimi Räikkönen:
“We continued our work from yesterday and made some good progress. We’re at the top of the timing monitors, but that means nothing in testing. Our focus has been testing parts on the car, but I’ve been able to get the set-up more to my liking. For sure there’s more work to be done in this area, but that’s what we’re here for. The car feels strong and we seem to have a good idea of where we’re going with improvements. Let’s see what happens in Barcelona.”

James Allison, Technical Director:
“After the orgy of work at the factory to prepare the car over the winter months it is always a welcome relief once the testing campaign finally kicks off; not because the pressure backs off, but because we get a chance – finally – to see what we have been working on. It is tremendously exciting for the whole team, but very nerve wracking as well. We desperately want the performance to be good, but we are all aware of the thousands of potential traps in bringing a complex car to the track for the first time. We have had a good first test. The car seems competitive, and while there is always a background hubbub of problems to be solved, we are delighted with the basic reliability of the E21. With Jerez now behind us, our thoughts have already turned to Barcelona in ten days’ time. There is a mountain of work ahead, but we are looking forward to our next opportunity to run the car.”