Lotus E23 rolls out at Jerez

[Jordan Adcock]

The new Lotus E23 has started running earlier than expected in pre-season testing, with Pastor Maldonado completing the Mercedes-powered car’s first installation lap at Jerez.

Lotus had admitted that the car was only fired up for the first time on Saturday, and with the need to transport it to the circuit in southern Spain it would likely mean only two days of running. But it appears that preparations went better than expected, and after overnight work they’ve managed to get the car ready for today.

The team’s running might not be more than shakedown runs until tomorrow and Wednesday, but it’s good news for the Enstone outfit when little has gone right for them recently. They switched to the Mercedes power-unit for this year after a combination of Renault power deficiency and a flawed car design led to a disastrous 2014. The E23 is instead following its competitors by having the most powerful engine and replacing the walrus nose with a more conventional one. Maldonado and French teammate Romain Grosjean remain for this season, and will be hoping the new car gives them more of a chance to compete.

With the Lotus out on track, all of the teams apart from Force India are running in the first pre-season test. Although Caterham and Manor (formerly Marussia) have entries for 2015, their well-publicised financial woes make it unlikely we’ll see them race this year.

 

[William Néron]

At least this year it actually looks like a F1. Now to be a F1, all they need is to remove those DRS (and other non-sense gimmics) and bring back the V10/V12 "screaming banshees"

 

[Andrew Harper]

At least this year it actually looks like a F1. Now to be a F1, all they need is to remove those DRS (and other non-sense gimmics) and bring back the V10/V12 "screaming banshees"

Yep, I miss those V12's.......then I moved to GT1 championship (Murcialago, MC12, F1 GTR, Lister Storm, DB9R) and those disappeared as well! haha.

I remember when I heard Alesi in the V12 Ferrari at Silverstone, my ears never recovered

 

[Dan Allen]

At least this year it actually looks like a F1. Now to be a F1, all they need is to remove those DRS (and other non-sense gimmics) and bring back the V10/V12 "screaming banshees"

Just listen at 0:45. Eargasm!

 

[William Néron]

It is indeed. First grand prix I went, I was 2-3 years old I think in Montreal, in 1997. I call still remember the engines, such a sound those V10s had.

Fun fact, we were exactly where Villeneuve crashed

 

[mystaaRS]

It is indeed. First grand prix I went, I was 2-3 years old I think in Montreal, in 1997. I call still remember the engines, such a sound those V10s had.

Fun fact, we were exactly where Villeneuve crashed

Are you in this video?

 

[William Néron]

Are you in this video?

Looking for it, searching photos too. Would be funny to spot myself

 

[R.J. O'Connell]

This car looks a lot nicer than the one before, perhaps mashing "Gold Leaf" red and gold with "JPS" black & gold as much as they did the last two seasons wasn't quite working so much.

 

[Ricoow]

In Holland we have a 'fun' series called BOSS GP, they drive with all kinds of formula cars, last year they had a 2001 Jaguar in the field. My ears instantly came.

 

[Bram Hengeveld]

If they can get rid of the red in the design it would instantly become the nicest livery on the track. The red doesn't match the rest of the design imo.

 

[HenkySA]

96 laps, mid 1:22, nice start for them

If they can get rid of the red in the design it would instantly become the nicest livery on the track. The red doesn't match the rest of the design imo.

because PDVSA is there sponsoring them, that's why the red appear
less red/no red would be better IMO. same opinion as you Bram.