Lotus likely to use new Coanda-effect exhaust layout in qualifying of Korean GP – Formula 1 news
Lotus technical director, James Allison has said that they are reasonably happy with their new Coanda-effect exhaust layout after the free Friday practice of the 2012 Korean Grand Prix and are likely to use it in the qualifying.
Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus could only set 10th best time in the second practice session at Korea International Circuit and remained busy in testing the new exhaust design.
Allison has said that they have not yet made the final decision that whether they are going to use their novel exhaust layout on Saturday or not but he said that there are chances that they will possibly continue with it.
“I think so, yeah,” Allison said. “We haven't decided yet but it looks like we will. We're reasonably happy with the way they're working. I think we're at the beginning of a relatively long road with them, they're not straightforward to make work perfectly
first go out but numbers we're getting from them are good so we're quite pleased.”
On the other hand, the Finnish driver showed a little concern over the new upgrade and said that although he has collected the essential data during the practice sessions, however, it is very difficult to compare it with the previous performance. In addition,
he said that they expected too much from it but have not been able to see the desired improvements in the car’s pace.
“We'll look at all the data and see how it is and see if we use it or not,” Raikkonen said. “Let's say I would think that probably we expected a bit more than what we've seen so far but it's too early to say.”
Besides, he said that even though their focus was on the latest update but they have worked on the car’s setup also. Additionally, he said that they are hoping to perform well in the qualifying so as to secure higher grid positions for the race in order
to attain good results.
The 2007 world champion is currently standing at 3rd position in the drivers’ championship and it will be interesting to see how he performs in the remainder of the ongoing season.
Tags: