Eric Boullier: We need to do better in qualifying

Lotus team principal Eric Boullier has stated that his team needs to do better when it comes to qualifying, if they have any desire to excel during the race. The Enstone-based outfit lost their 3rd place in the Constructors’ Championship last weekend in Germany, and now sit only one point behind McLaren.

With Lotus still avidly searching for their first win of the season, it’s abundantly clear that their inconsistent qualifying performances have been hindering the competitiveness of their Renault powered Lotus E20. For many weekends now, Lotus have been tipped for victory by many in the paddock, however that elusive victory has yet to be achieved.

So far the teams best performance in qualifying has been at the Spanish Grand Prix, where Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen lined up 3rd and 4th respectively on the grid. For the race, the Enstone-based outfit could only manage one car on the podium in Kimi Raikkonen. The teams best result, however, came in Bahrain when both drivers managed to finish on the podium in 2nd and 3rd along with reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel.

With these results, it’s undeniable that Lotus have the pace and driver skill to take race victories. Kimi Raikkonen is a former World Champion of the sport, taking his one and as of yet only title in 2007 with Ferrari. Although Romain Grosjean is still only within his first full season in Formula 1, the Frenchman showed utter dominance in the GP2 feeder series last season, winning five races on his way to the title.

Although team principal Eric Boullier believes it will be difficult to retake 3rd place in the Constructors’ Championship from McLaren, he is adamant that Lotus have all of the ingredients to defend their current position in the Championship ahead of race winners Mercedes.

“If we can keep bringing the developments and updates we have been planning and make them work on track then I think we should be able to defend our current position.” Insisted Eric Boullier, “I am not sure about third or fourth by the end of the year, as everything is very close, but I am pretty convinced that we will be in the fight for one of the prime places in the Constructors’ Championship.”

However, Eric Boullier understands that his team desperately need to improve when it comes to qualifying. With the likes of Force India getting both of their drivers through to the all-important top ten shootout recently, it’s unquestionably imperative that Lotus do likewise as they strive to fend off the other highly competitive midfield teams.

“Going forwards, it’s clear what we need to do for better results.” Explained Eric Boullier. “Anyone who watches Formula One can tell us this. We need to do better in qualifying. It’s clear that if we want to win the races we have to be top four or five on the grid.”

Both Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean have come agonizingly close to taking victory this season, and a front row starting position for either of the two could well provide Lotus with a perfect opportunity to take victory. Be it Raikkonen or Grosjean, both drivers undeniably deserve a win this season.

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