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Lotus hope to make heads turn with upgrades for Spanish GP

Enstone team eye Red Bull with "reasonably significant" updates

Jolyon Palmer in action during P1 in China
Image: Lotus: Moving steadily back up the grid

Lotus believe their “significant” Spanish GP upgrade package could prove “eye-opening” as they set their sights on overhauling Red Bull at the start of the European season.

The Enstone-based outfit have moved back into the heart of F1’s midfield after a season of struggle in 2014 and their 12-point haul from the opening flyaway leg of the campaign is already two more than they managed in the whole of last year.

As is tradition for the start of the European season, which commences at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya this week, teams have been using the three-week break in races to prepare their largest upgrade packages of 2015 so far.

Having proved to be the fifth-fastest team in the opening four rounds, Lotus are optimistic the developments they have been working on for the Mercedes-powered E23 will bring valuable laptime gains.

“There’s potential for some things which could open some eyes in Barcelona and then at the next race in Monaco too,” said deputy team principal Federico Gastaldi. “It’s fair to say it’s busy times at Enstone.”

Technical director Nick Chester added: “It will be an interesting weekend as many teams will bring decent upgrades to the first European race of the season and we are working on bringing a reasonably significant package in terms of bodywork upgrades ourselves.

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“There’s a certain amount of anticipation to see what everyone turns up with. In terms of our expectations, there’s nothing to say that we shouldn’t have another strong race in Barcelona, just as we did in China and Bahrain.”

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Romain Grosjean finished seventh in both of the last two races, with the gap to sixth-placed Red Bull in Bahrain some 20 seconds at the chequered flag.

Lotus, though, believe they can challenge the former world champions, starting on a Spanish circuit they have performed strongly at in each of the last three seasons.

“Certainly, it’s pretty competitive in the midfield and fighting to be at the head of the chasing pack,” Chester said.

“Mercedes are still the team to beat this season although Ferrari is giving them a chase at the moment. There is a fairly big gap to Willliams who are followed by Red Bull and us – there is a smaller gap there and we can race them."

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