Lotus F1 will test a new nose in Austin for 2015
Lotus is in full preparation of its 2015 car and will test a new nose during the Austin Grand Prix weekend in the United States, from October 31 to November 2.
The English team Lotus is having a disastrous season. Poor results and reliability issues are piling up. They have therefore decided to start from scratch with, among other things, a Mercedes engine, currently considered the best on the grid, to replace the Renault engine, deemed less efficient.
The engineers have decided not to wait for winter testing to try new aerodynamic components. During the free practice 1 of the Austin Grand Prix, the Lotus E22 will be equipped with a new nose, which should closely resemble the final design of the 2015 E23 Hybrid.
The noses of the 2014 car models have generated a lot of debate due to their perceived unattractive appearance and the safety concerns they raised. The FIA has adjusted the 2015 regulations to address these two challenges. The current front part of the Lotus is particularly recognizable, featuring an asymmetrical double nose.
The Technical Director, Nick Chester, insists that this is a development for the future: « This will be used for [solution] evaluation and the acquisition of aerodynamic data. It’s something we’re doing as part of the preparation for the E23 Hybrid, next year’s car. It won’t be the final version of the E23’s nose, but it’s an “E23-type” nose that we’re placing on an E22 for evaluation. » The English leader indicates that short-term results should not be expected: « We do not expect a performance gain on the current car because it hasn’t been optimized for the E22, but it will allow for interesting comparisons. »
Chester also highlights the good progress of the 2015 program: « Almost all the resources are on the E23 now and a good part has been for some time. We are starting the layering of the first race chassis according to the schedule. The gearboxes have been molded and will soon be machined. We have almost finalized the cooling system. »
Despite the current use of the Renault engine, the English team is closely connected with their future engine supplier: « We have also discussed various aspects with Mercedes while we finalize the installation of the power unit. A large part of the suspension is already designed, so we are on the right track ».
With Lotus’s commitment to 2015, there is nothing more to expect from the current car. Drivers Pastor Maldonado and Romain Grosjean hardly have any hope of shining in the last 3 races of the season.
