07/02/2014
NEWS STORY
Having missed last week's opening pre-season test at Jerez, Lotus is at the Spanish track today as it carries out promotional filming ahead of the Bahrain test.
Much maligned for the decision to miss Jerez, the Enstone team having claimed that its car was not yet ready, it would appear that Lotus didn't really miss out on much considering the limited running that its fellow Renault-powered cars managed.
The source of constant speculation in terms of its financial situation, rumoured investors and management changes, the team drew even more headlines when it issued a couple of images of its 2014 contender shortly after the wraps had come off the McLaren.
While most teams have opted for a single appendage at the front to comply with the new nose rules, Lotus has opted for two protrusions of different length. Of course whether this was a red herring from a team with a keen sense of humour remains to be seen however, some are not so sure. Certainly, while the image Tweeted by the team early on today shows two distinct protrusions (right) it is unclear if they are the same length.
The team is in action at Jerez today and tomorrow for promotional filming, and while the running must be carried out on 'demonstration' tyres it will at least give Renault an opportunity to carry out further checks following last week's debacle.
Over the course of the four days last week, Renault-powered team managed 151 laps compared to 445 (Ferrari) and 875 (Mercedes).
As is the tradition, certainly when it has something positive to say - much like Red Bull - the Enstone team was quick to take to Twitter this morning to update followers on its progress.
Picture credit @Lotus_F1Team
Chris Balfe