Lotus F1 Team ©
In an interview with Autosport today, Lotus team owner Gerard Lopez admits changing to Mercedes engines was too good an opportunity to turn down.
After two excellent seasons that saw them finish fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, Lotus has slipped close to the back of the grid with the squad eighth in the standings with only eight points.
The blame for most of their woes have been laid at the door of Renault as the French manufacturer has struggled to come to grips with the switch to the new V6 power units.
However, their longstanding partnership with Renault will come to an end next year as they will use Mercedes engines. In an interview with Autosport today, Lopez believes that switching to Mercedes will be better for the team in the long run. Lopez stated the following:-
‘Clearly Mercedes has the engine; we expect them to continue having it – they’ve just done a better job. And we were one of the rare independent teams that could have access to that engine.
‘I think for the team it was the right choice. Not making that choice – a lot more people would ask questions if you have that opportunity.’
As Lopez rightly points out, Mercedes have the best power unit on the grid and he expects that they will only build on the success they have acquired this season as we head into 2015. It is clear that Lopez believes switching to them is the right move for the team and it would be stupid if they didn’t take advantage of that opportunity.
And I would have to agree with him. Lotus securing an Mercedes engine deal starting next season is a great boost for the team and their success as an engine manufacturer this season will only motivate and encourage the Lotus team to build a car that will further show why they are the best on the grid at the moment.
Further on in his interview, Lopez believes that even though Renault has struggled this season but he believes they won’t struggle even if Mercedes hold the advantage at the moment. Lopez added the following:-
‘Renault has struggled clearly this season. I don’t think they will struggle as much next year, but neither do I think they will catch up to Mercedes that fast, and so for us it was a pure performance decision.
‘I think Renault has already been focusing quite a bit on one team, or at least two teams, in terms of rolling road (dyno) testing and so on. It’s the way it is and for sure [the switch] is good for us.’
Without a shadow of a doubt, Renault have struggled this season with their power unit and with the car that the Lotus team have produced, both parties haven’t been able to replicate the success they have enjoyed in the past few seasons. But I would have to agree with Lopez and I feel that Renault will improve in 2015 but the gap to Mercedes could be a barrier that could take them even another season to catch up properly.
Even though Lopez believes that Renault may have chosen to focus on one or two teams, it is clear that Lotus left the manufacturer based on their performance throughout the season which has been unacceptable and they are happy to be with Mercedes for 2015.
All Lopez has to do under his leadership is ensure that Lotus build a competitive and consistent car for 2015 that will only provide them with success on the track but will also highlight just how strong the Mercedes power unit is and why it is the best in Formula One right now. And for Lotus, there are no more excuses; they have to deliver in 2015 without a shadow of a doubt with the paddock keeping an close eye on their progress and performances too.
