Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsLotus F1

Big expectations for Monaco - Lotus

Lotus deputy team principal Federico Gastaldi says the team has "big expectations for Monaco" after a run of scoring points.

Romain Grosjean has scored points for Lotus in each of the last three races, with his return of 16 points so far comfortably exceeding the team's total of 10 in 2014. However, Gastaldi believes there is more to come from the E23 and he says he is setting targets high for next weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

"We need to keep improving the level performance," Gastaldi said. "We are much more competitive than last year – of course we have the new engine but it is also due to the aerodynamic and mechanical improvements made in 2015. The car’s performance is very solid and we have big expectations for Monaco and indeed for the next upcoming races.

"Enstone keeps doing a great job and I’d like to thank everyone for the big efforts they are making. Our people are our best asset and we have two good experienced drivers. Let’s continue to score points and gain places in the field."

And Gastaldi feels Monaco will allow an opportunity for Pastor Maldonado to join team-mate Grosjean in the top ten.

"The level of competitiveness of the E23 is there. We need to have a little bit of luck and have a clear weekend. We have every chance of being able to score points with both cars in Monte Carlo."

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.