First-lap disaster adds to pressure at Lotus

With Lotus still under huge financial pressures, a double retirement on the opening lap at Monza couldn't have come at a worse time.

Just two weeks ago the Enstone-based team had been celebrating a break=through podium for Romain Grosjean at Spa, with the hope that this might signal the turnaround in fortunes that the squad desperately needs to keep operating while it learns whether or not engine manufacturer Renault will buy into the team.

But any relief granted by the Spa success quickly evaporated in the sunshine at Monza on Sunday when both Grosjean and his team mate Pastor Maldonado retired after incidents in the first chicane at the start of the Italian Grand Prix.

"We had the potential of a good race ahead of us,” said Grosjean, who started from eighth on the grid. “I made a strong start but got hit by a car from behind in turn one which broke my rear suspension so that was it for us.

"It was a too optimistic move from [Sauber driver Felipe] Nasr who hit me which meant my race was over.

"It’s been a tough weekend but everyone has made the most of the opportunities we have and the spirit of the team and the support from the F1 world has been amazing. The E23 still feels good so we head to the next races optimistic of more good results to come."

"It’s been a tough weekend and this is racing sometimes," added Maldonado, who started the race from tenth. "We keep united and keep pushing as there are still seven Grands Prix to go so time to recover and keep fighting.

"I had contact in turn one where the Force India came into the side of me and took out my front-right suspension and that was the end of my race. We were looking for a strong finish and we had potential for that. Everyone knows that turn one at Monza can be tough and that’s what we saw today."

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