Think the wider operating window will suit his style a lot more than last year's tyres, just hope he does not try to get too clever with set up again.
Nico Hulkenberg impressed by Lotus's form By Sam Tremayne Friday, February 22nd 2013, 11:25 GMT Nico Hulkenberg admits he was impressed by the consistency and duration of Romain Grosjean's Thursday race simulation at Barcelona. The Lotus driver was the only man to complete a 66-lap run, which included one 24-lap stint in which his pace rarely dipped below the 1m29s mark. Sauber driver Hulkenberg said that stint in particular was striking, particularly given how his own long-run simulations went. "The Lotus has been very good," Hulkenberg told reporters at Barcelona on Thursday night. "We didn't do the same programmes, and his fuel would have been down by then so you can't tell [fully], but that [wasn't] a bad effort. "From what I can remember they were good here last winter as well in terms of tyre life and consistency. "From how my own tyres felt, [Grosjean's stint] wasn't bad." Hulkenberg insisted however that there was no ground for worry given how specific conditions at Barcelona have proved this week. "I'm not really concerned about it. Next week we will be here and maybe it is warmer, maybe the track picks up again. Maybe we have some new parts to try out for Melbourne," he said. "So far we have had four quality days, the target is to have two more next week. "In Melbourne we will see how it is but I'm not going to break my brain now." www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105671
I think Lotus have a seriously fast car. Hulkenburg basically admitted Sauber can't match Red Bull, which is completely understandable as Grosjean was a match for the Red Bull, a car that according to trackside reports is planted all the time! Yes Vettel would probably be faster than Webber but you could also say Kimi is faster than Grosjean on the long runs.
I may be being stupid here but if the Red Bull is the car that is planted the most then why are reporters saying it's not quick? Adrian Newey is a genius when it comes to aerodynamics so it can't be that, that is holding them back surely. Especially considering this year's car is an evolution of last years.
tedkravitz Lewis Hamilton says he isn't looking like being able to challenge for wins this season. Downplaying expectations? Full intvw on F1 Show 5pm
