Friday, 10 October 2014

Grosjean encouraged by Lotus switch to Mercedes for 2015

Russian Grand Prix
(Alastair Staley for the Lotus F1 Team)

The Lotus F1 Team's Romain Grosjean has stated the fact that the Enstone outfit will switch to a supply of Mercedes power units from next season onwards 'certainly makes things look more attractive around here.'

Lotus have really struggled this season having failed to match their success from last season which saw the team finish in fourth place in the championship. In 2014, the team have scored just eight points and find themselves in eighth place in the Constructors championship with four race's to go including Sunday's inaugural Russian Grand Prix.

Grosjean, who has been with the Enstone outfit since joining alongside Kimi Raikkonen in 2012 is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to announce his plans for next the 2015 season. His team mate Pastor Maldonado is already signed up for another season having joined the outfit from the Williams team over the Winter.

Although the deal was officially announced to the media yesterday, the team have known for a number of months that the deal was going to happen and this meant that they have been able to design the 2015 car around the Mercedes power unit. 

As part of the new agree, the Lotus F1 Team will have a new fuel and lubricant provider with PETRONAS replacing French supplier TOTAL.

Pastor Maldonado believes that the engine change will mean that the team will be instantly faster then this season.

The new partnership with Mercedes brings to an end the Enstone outfits 19 year association with Renault having begun their relationship in 1995. In that time the partnership delivered 'Team Enstone' three world championships in 1995, 2005 and 2006 as well as three Constructors championships.

© Ben Johnston 2014

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