Lotus: Double finish despite first corner collision

2011 Belgian GP team review

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The Lotus cars ran with the ‘Team Lotus’ logos changed to read ‘Team Loftus’, in honour of owner Tony Fernandes’s purchase of football team QPR.

Heikki KovalainenJarno Trulli
Qualifying position1618
Qualifying time comparison (Q1)2’06.780 (-1.993)2’08.773
Race position1514
Laps43/4443/44
Pit stops32

Lotus drivers’ lap times throughout the race (in seconds):

https://www.racefans.net/charts/2011drivercolours.csv

1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344
Heikki Kovalainen154.815138.982118.62119.286119.19118.159118.383118.876118.338118.312118.134118.311147.486155.456119.376159.808118.143116.792116.794117.739117.265116.842116.851116.601116.781116.944116.575116.626116.779118.266117.981117.121121.121129.697114.051114.239114.238114.322114.367115.976116.213116.864115.836
Jarno Trulli139.709120.949120.002119.277119.706119.975120.572120.234118.994119.177119.603118.637143.712156.465135.894166.371117.859116.742116.825117.257116.188116.522118.014116.456116.844116.625116.698116.647116.474116.457122.082128.735114.971115.218115.378115.534114.957114.571114.873114.701115.191116.834117.843

Heikki Kovalainen

A sterling late effort from Kovalainen in Q1 saw him improve his time despite running wide at Rivage as fresh rain fell on the track. His time was good enough to bump Paul di Resta out and secure a place in Q2.

Di Resta got down the inside of him at the first corner at the start. But when the Force India was hit by Timo Glock, Kovalainen had to take avoiding action and hit his team mate.

Kovalainen had to pit for a new front wing. He made up some ground thanks to the safety car, and passed Vitantonio Liuzzi and Jerome D’Ambrosio after which he was within four seconds of his team mate.

Rubens Barrichello appeared behind him with two laps to go but Kovalainen kept the Williams driver behind to the flag.

Heikki Kovalainen 2011 form guide

Jarno Trulli, Lotus, Spa-Francorchamps, 2011

Jarno Trulli

The first-corner contact between the Lotuses damaged Trulli’s floor, so he was content to finish 14th after a brief battle with Bruno Senna:

“When the safety car came out I was able to close the gap to the cars ahead. That gave me the chance to fight with the Renault and I passed him and was then able to keep pace with the other guys ahead.

“One of the best points of the race was the first stop I made – I came in just behind one of the HRTs and the pit crew did a brilliant job to get me out fast enough to pass him in the pit lane, so I want to thank them and the whole team for a really solid weekend.”

Trulli had to make do without the new power steering introduced at Hungary as it was found not to be powerful enough to use at Spa. The team expect he will not be able to use it at Monza either.

Jarno Trulli 2011 form guide

Karun Chandhok

Drove Heikki Kovalainen’s car in first practice.

2011 Belgian Grand Prix

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    Image © Team Lotus

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    Keith Collantine
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    10 comments on “Lotus: Double finish despite first corner collision”

    1. The Lotus cars ran with the ‘Team Lotus’ logos changed to read ‘Team Loftus’, in honour of owner Tony Fernandes’s purchase of football team QPR.

      I don’t get it. Is this a reference only football fans will understand?

      1. QPR play at Loftus Road (a fact I only know because my former boss supports them!)

    2. Senna really didn’t do well at all in the race, his pace was similar to that he displayed in Free Practice at Hungary. Want to see some footage of Lotus v Renault :D

      1. Despite crashing into Alguersuari he should have been higher up.

    3. And there was me thinking that Team Loftus pic was a photo shop!

      Heikki had a great qualifying effort, but was only a little bit more lucky then Alguersuari at the start as he was at least able to go on to finish the race.

      Looks like Lotus is still in the same position, they need to take a step forward next year again and get in touch with the midfield on pace.

    4. Wow, what a write up for Chandhok. I bet he will be pinning that one up on his bedroom wall.

      1. But then, his outing left such a passing impression that I had to think for a second:…Chandok, what on earth are you talking about?

    5. Why wasting money in buying football clubs when that money can be invested to the teams good as they have the people who can turn this team around.

      1. Lotus don’t strike me as having money problems and your pockets can only be so deep when you have the RRA in place. Fernandes is a businessman before an F1 team principal.

    6. A good effort from Lotus this weekend and great to see Kovalainen edge out Di Resta and Trulli keep Barrichello at bay. You could argue that keeping the FW33 behind you isn’t particularly difficult but for a relatively new team it’s good news.

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