Huge blow for Lotus F1

Tristan Clark · Jan 6, 2014

Looks like the E22 won't be ready for the opening test starting at Jerez on the 28th of this month.

"We're going to keep our car under wraps a little longer than some other teams," [said Lotus technical director - Nick Chester]. "We've decided that attending the Jerez test isn't ideal for our build and development programme."

Definitely a big concern considering the struggles of Williams last year, who also missed the opening test. Fingers crossed that they can stay competitive this year.

Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112041

Alexandre Rideaux · Jan 7, 2014

Financial problems maybe?

Tobias Kluge · Jan 7, 2014

BIGTEX285 said:
Financial problems maybe?

Sure, that Pakistani scam artist (Quantum) didn't pay a penny and other top tier teams dismantled their engineering team, with the prospect of getting paid regularly.
Sad story, next non top budget team getting under the wheels.

ufunacaoenn · Jan 7, 2014

Tobias Kluge · Jan 7, 2014

F1 is too expensive in 2013 and far worse in 2014, without a huge title sponsor or factory backing you are dammed for the back seats.
Great stuff, 500 million in the top tier class (RB, Merc, Ferrari, McL) the rest is searching for pay driver like M from V to survive the increasing costs.
The factory teams got their guarantee to win with the smear campaign against Max Mosley and the resources restriction agreement. Nowadays FIA is only interested in higher income than regulating this political minefield.