2012 Season Preview - Lotus Renault

Next in our season preview we come to the team formally known as "the other Lotus". A team that had been in so much controversy over the last few years they could be mistaken for trouble makers, although I'm sure they're not.

Last season they ran with a number of drivers mainly due to the unfortunate accident to the talented Robert Kubica. They started the season with Vitaly Petrov and Nick Heidfeld, the when Quick Nick didn't perform as well as they'd hoped, Bruno Senna was employed. The season started with so much promise when both drivers scored podiums in the first two races . It soon went down hill when the innovative front facing exhausts seemed to limit the update opportunities. They still picked up points but they fell further and further back down the field as the season progressed.

For the coming season they have dispensed of both their drivers from 2011 making way for 2nd chance youngster Roman Grosjean and former world champion Kimi Raikkonen. Roman last had a shot with Renault a couple of seasons ago but failed to live up to expectations, it could be argued that he was thrust in at the deep end following the departure of Nelson Piquet late in the season. I don't believe he was really given the chance to shine. Kimi Raikkonen, on the other hand is a very successful F1 driver, but left Ferrari when it seemed he didn't have the appetite for it anymore. After two years away from the sport, he returns and if stories are to be believed, is hungrier than ever.

The problem that I have with accessing how well Lotus will do this season, is that they have yet again been blighted by their own innovation. They had been the main protagonist behind the reactive ride height system, this allowed stability under braking in the corners. This was banned last week by the FIA and one wonders how much the Lotus car was designed round this technology. If it was heavily designed round this they will have an issue, as to go back to the drawing board at this late stage will surely hurt them.

How will this all play out for Lotus? Well to be honest I am not entirely sure. Their driver line up is somewhat untested at the moment as two questions remain unanswered, can Roman live up to his promise this time? And, what is Kimi's motivation. Given all this, I have to conclude that it won't be such an easy year for the team. Couple that with a resurgent Williams and an improving Force India, I think they will spend most of the season in the midfield.

2011 Position - 5th
2012 Predicted Position - 7th

Conclusion - another tough season for Lotus, however I think the results will come toward the later end of the season when Kimi gets back into his groove and Roman learns the ropes. I do think they are destined for better things in the coming seasons, just not yet. Role on 2013, might just be the shouts from Lotus fans during 2012.