(Steven Tee for Lotus F1 Team)
The Lotus F1 Team head to this weekend's German Grand Prix at the Hockenheimring hoping to build on a solid performance last time out at their home race in Silverstone where Romain Grosjean just missed out on a point's finish when he came home in 12th place. It was a disappointing Grand Prix for Pastor Maldonado as the Venezuelan was forced to retire with an exhaust issue following a clash with the Sauber F1 Team's Esteban Gutierrez. The Mexican was later handed a three place grid penalty for this weekend's race after the stewards found he was responsible for the clash.
At last season's German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, the Enstone outfit scored a double podium with Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grojean finishing the race in second and third respectively.
The team have struggled so far this season however their recent performances have been positive and they are working on a rapid development programme which they hope will enable the team to score more points with the E22.
Since the British Grand Prix last weekend, the team tested Pirelli's prototype 18'' tyre which the Italian company have said that they would be keen to introduce into Formula One from 2017 although are open to the idea of a 2016 debut. The team were happy with how the test went after their test driver Charles Pic completed 14 lap's with the new low profile tyre.
The last time the team raced at the Hockenheimring in 2012, then driver Kimi Raikkonen finished in third place for the team. Speaking to the team's official website Romain Grosjean said feels that the Hockenheimring will provide a good test for the E22 and it give the team the opportunity to evaluate the improvements that they have made to the car.
Although the Frenchman wasn't behind the wheel over the course of the Silverstone test he was at the circuit on Tuesday to see how the teams development is progressing.
Pastor Maldonado heads to the German Grand Prix in search of his first point's finish of the season. The last time the Venezuelan drove at the Hockenheimring was with the Williams F1 Team where he finished the race in 15th place having started the race from 5th on the grid.
The Lotus F1 Team head to the Germany this weekend in 8th place in the Constructors championship so they will be hoping to be in a postion to move forward this weekend.
© Ben Johnston 2014
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