Lotus team principal Gerard Lopez has warned his team “not to swagger about” heading in to the 2015 season despite expecting a big improvement on last year.
Lotus has been buoyed by a switch to the Mercedes power unit as well as an encouraging opening pre-season test which has seen Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado note the steps forward with the new E23. However, coming off the back of a season in which Lotus scored just 10 points, Lopez has told the team that it can’t get carried away with its belief that 2015 will be significantly better, insisting only hard work will ensure that is the case.
“Two years ago, we claimed one win and secured 13 podiums,” Lopez told AutoHebdo. “We were right up there with Red Bull and challenged Mercedes and Ferrari for a top-three finish in the Constructors’ championship, while edging out McLaren, Force India, and Williams. Only to suffer a massive drop the following year.
“After such a tough season, I think it’s wiser not to swagger about. Let’s keep a low profile, stay humble in the face of the hardships we experienced, and remain careful not to hit the repeat button.
“First, let’s work very hard to recover and return to our 2013 form. Only then can we talk about aiming higher. All I can say is that we did not finish where we belong in 2014. Let’s reclaim our rightful place first and revise our targets next.”
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