Lotus GP3 News http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:18:35 +0000 30 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/images/rss.gif http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58963-tests-in-estoril/ The team has collected a lot of datas that will help to prepare as much the qualifying sessions and the races to come. Added to that, it has the fastest lap time of both days in its bag, courtesy of Aaro Vainio who lapped in 1:30.466.

This post has been promoted to an article]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:18:35 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58963-tests-in-estoril/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58751-aaro-vainio-joins-lotus-gp/ The young Finnish driver is no stranger to the GP3 Series in which he participated in 2011.

At the age of 18, Aaro already had two full seasons of auto racing to his credit. He secured six podiums, two pole positions, and two best laps in 34 races. This winter, he took part in the Barcelona, Valencia, and Jerez tests with Lotus GP and was able to acclimate to the team, which in return got a chance to appreciate his application, determination, technical knowledge, and potential.

In 2012, Aaro will have to move up a level and help the team achieve its objectives, which are holding on to its two titles.

Aaro Vainio:
“I'm really excited and pleased to have this opportunity to drive with Lotus GP. This year I will have everything I need to succeed. Equipment and experience are the main keys. Lotus GP is for sure the best team on the field, looking at their fantastic achievements of the past two years, since they are undefeated in the GP3 series. I will do a lot of work and give the team my best so we can achieve great results. I look forward to starting the interseason testing and to working with the team.”

Frederic Vasseur:
“Aaro’s first season in the GP3 Series was not always filled with success, but he never lost his focus due to adversity and he showed strong performances on various occasions. Lotus GP confirmed his great potential during the three days of tests held at three different circuits, and we are confident that Aaro will be able to express himself in 2012 so that he is consistently at the front.”

This post has been promoted to an article]]> Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:56:29 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58751-aaro-vainio-joins-lotus-gp/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58739-line-up-2012/



Daniel Abt is the first of the trio the black and gold team has made official. The 19 year old German driver got to know the GP3 Series and Lotus during the interseason tests at Valencia and Jerez de la Frontera, where he had the best time of the last two days.
Daniel Abt dominated the ADAC Formel Masters 2009 (8 wins) and finished 2010 in 2nd place in German Formula 3 (2 wins). He successfully continued his apprenticeship in single-seaters in 2011 by securing three podiums in the F3 Euro Series and adapted to Lotus and the GP3 Series efficiently and quickly during the winter tests, where he demonstrated remarkable technical finesse and personal commitment.

Daniel Abt:
“I am very happy for the chance to continue my career in the GP3 Series, which was my favorite solution. Making this step with the Lotus GP team is like a little dream because everyone knows how professional and successful this squad is. I already felt at home during the first tests. Big thanks to my partners and sponsors who give me the chance to make this huge step. Now I'm looking forward to a lot of new challenges: a new car, a new team and some new race tracks. The tests were good. But more important than the times on the screen was: It was pure fun to drive the car and work with the team. I will now start to prepare as hard as possible for the next tests and the start of the season to pay back for the trust in me.”

Frederic Vasseur:
“Along with sporting and technical performance, the human aspect is an essential factor for success in an extremely competitive championship where there is no room for error at any level whatsoever. Daniel combines three skills. He attracted Lotus GP with his speed, his technical baggage, and his human qualities. We have every confidence in him to help us defend our two titles.”

This post has been promoted to an article]]> Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:55:26 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58739-line-up-2012/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58579-tests-jerez/ The team kept working on optimum setups definition and improving the driving of the drivers in order to collect as much data as possible to analyze this winter.

This post has been promoted to an article]]> Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:13:01 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58579-tests-jerez/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58548-tests-valencia/ Daniel Abt was regularly one of the fastest man on track, being the fastest 3 sessions out of 4.
This afternoon the team worked on race simulations.
Next tests in Jerez on December 1 and 2.

This post has been promoted to an article]]> Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:44:14 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58548-tests-valencia/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58430-tests-barcelona/ Daniel and Gregoire discovered the car and those two days allowed them to understand how it works and adapt their driving to extract the best out of it. Aaro was back at the wheel of a GP3 car for the first time since Monza and even if the finn had some troubles he improved well and did some good times yesterday afternoon.
The team gathered a lot of data which will help to improve the car balance. Next tests in Valencia on November 23 & 24.

This post has been promoted to an article]]> Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:13:04 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58430-tests-barcelona/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58043-monza/
Valtteri Bottas: “Champion, it feels so good! It was difficult to think about that in the middle of the season when we were 10thin the championship after a tough start, but we never lost our confidence and this title, combined with the teams’ title is a testimony to the hard work and effort by Lotus ART. We can be proud because we brilliantly turned the season around. On a personal level, I'm genuinely happy to be a champion once again after two difficult seasons. I learned my lessons and in the end I'm sure we will be able to build on this in the future.

Arriving in Monza, the gap between me and James was just 5 points and I knew there was no room for mistakes. We were both unlucky in qualifying because we hit traffic with our second set of tyres but on one hand we saved our tyres in free practice 2, and on the other hand, being in the first position is certainly not the best place to be in Monza where the slipstream is so important. James put pressure on me in the last lap and he did a great job as always, but I knew that if I could push hard and open a gap to break his slipstream, the title was at the end of the road. In the second race, coming into Ascari's chicane, the driver ahead of me braked much earlier than what I expected and I had to cover from James who was on the outside. I hit Daly, it was my fault and I apologize to him. I would have preferred to end the season on a win but that's how racing goes and it did not change anything for the championship. I would like thank my finish sponsors, Wihuri and Kemppi, which support me from a couple of years and, of course, Williams and my management.”

James Calado: “Runner-up... it does not have such a bad ring to it for my first season in the series. I knew I had to beat Valtteri and to do so the pole position would have been ideal but it's down to luck in Monza and I was not at the right place at the right time, I did not get a good tow and I started the first race from P6. Everything went really well in the race and the only problem I had has a name: Valtteri. He did a fantastic job and we followed each other on our way to the lead. I could not get close enough to get past him in the last lap but I have nothing to regret. It's great to secure both championships and to do a 1-2 in the drivers' championship. All this would not have been possible without the incredible effort Lotus ART put in and I want to thank each and every member of the team who deserved its success. There was not much at play in the second race and I wanted to offer the team one last win. Unfortunately I was a bit optimistic in the first turn and I collided with Evans.”

Richie Stanaway: “The track was a great place to race, and the races were both really exciting with all of the slipstreaming involved. Unfortunately we didn't get a clear lap in during qualifying and i wasn't able to show my potential, and we spent both of the races charging from the rear of the grid. In race one I got up to 10th from 23rd but then received a 10 place grid penalty for race 2 for touching another car while coming through. in race 2 starting from 20th i got up to 9th by lap 3 and had lots of car speed, after getting up to 7th i touched with another car and got a punctured tyre which sadly put an end to what could have been a good race after i had to pit to change my tyres. but regardless of the results, doing these last 2 GP3 races has been an incredible experience for me and I'm very grateful that I had the opportunity to do it.”

Frederic Vasseur: “Here comes the sun! After a difficult start to the season, Lotus ART managed to get it dialed in and keep our hold on both titles thanks to the hard work of all our team members. After the rain in the last few races, the team showed that it could be just as competitive in the heat, and it was a great satisfaction, because the Monza weekend showed that we are fast under any circumstance. Valtteri and James both deserved the title but there can be only one champion. We are very proud to have worked with both of them. Richie had an exceptional start in a complex championship, and he leaves no doubt that he will be one of the young talents to keep an eye on in the years to come.”



This post has been promoted to an article]]> Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:46:31 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58043-monza/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58033-monza-race-2/
Penalty for James Calado, puncture for Richie Stanaway and accident for Valtteri Bottas, luck was not on Lotus ART's side today.

The team will now celebrates both titles won for the second year in a row !



This post has been promoted to an article]]> Mon, 12 Sep 2011 11:18:47 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58033-monza-race-2/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58014-monza-race-1/
After a good race, Richie finished 10th but took a penalty of 10 places tomorrow.



This post has been promoted to an article]]> Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:45:53 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/58014-monza-race-1/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/57434-spa-francorchamps/
James Calado and Valtteri Bottas monopolized the front row of the starting grid in the first race and crossed the finish line in the reverse order, while newcomer Richie Stanaway climbed from 18th position to finish in 8th place.
 
After the first double of the season, Lotus ART was looking for a triple in the second race until Valtteri was struck by a rival. Richy Stanaway led the second race from start to finish, by managing his tyres and track conditions to perfection, despite his lack of experience with the series. By moving up to 2nd place, James moved to within 5 point of Valtteri in the overall ranking. The season finale in Monza two weeks from now will be decisive for the crowning of the drivers' title.

VALTTERI BOTTAS

“Make it three in a row in qualifying after my pole positions in Hungary and Germany was my goal.  In my best lap, I lost a bit of time here and there and it was not easy to push hard all the time, as there were still some damp patches. It would have been easy to ruin the weekend in one lap and I was looking at the big picture. I preferred to insure a 2nd place and to think of the championship. I had a very good start on Saturday and overtook James at the first corner. I pushed hard to open a gap and I was 3 seconds ahead of James at the end of the first lap. Our car is so much more competitive than at the beginning of the season. I have to thank Lotus ART for their hard work. The rest of the race was not easy but I could manage the tyres and it was the key to cruising to the win. The following day, I had a decent start and gained some positions. A podium was in the cards until Melker hit me. Alas, the engine was damaged and it cut off from time to time. I'm still leading the championship but I know I can't rest on my laurels. Monza will be pretty exciting, I can't wait!”

JAMES CALADO:

“Qualifying was quite good. We decided to go with the slick tyres early in the session in order to get some good tyre temperature and to bank a time before the last lap. That was the right decision in the end because I could carry a lot of speed in fast corners in the last lap which was decisive. I had too much wheelspin at the start of the race and Valterri got past me. The car was not ideal for whatever reason, maybe the tyre pressure. But the points of the second position were good. On Sunday, I had a very good start, I overtook two cars and the level of grip was much better than on Saturday. The car was flying thanks to Lotus ART’s technical options. 16 points is a great result and I can't be disappointed! I'm just 5 points down from Valterri and there will be a lot of pressure in Monza. I'm taking it race by race, every point will count, it's going to be a close fight down to the end and I think a lot will depend on qualifying.”

RICHIE STANAWAY:

“I had little time to get to grips with the car and the team and I was not that lucky in qualifying, but I was optimistic for the race thanks to the great help and work Lotus ART provided me. Obviously, there's a bit of pressure when you're a rookie and that P8 in the first race is within your reach. I kept calm, the team radioed me to give me all the information I needed and we made it. Starting from the pole, I did not have enough experience with the hand clutch and Nico Muller got me. I did not panic, I was close to him on the exit from La Source but I made sure I lifted a little before Eau Rouge so we had a bit of a gap and I was in the right place for a slip stream. I was just close enough then to get a good run on him and regained the lead. Then I just pushed as hard as I could on the first few laps to build up a lead and worked on keeping it. I just wanted to bring the car home. I'm glad and honored I played my role in Lotus ART’s title in the teams’ championship.”

FREDERIC VASSEUR:

“We've been close to perfection right from the start and the only regret is that we did not secure the 1-2-3 we deserved in race 2. Having said that, the whole team did a fantastic job and the team's title is a well-deserved reward. Valterri and James could hardly do better and Richie was just awesome for his first meeting in a very competitive series. We have to stay focused as the drivers' title is not in the bag yet and we know our rivals can be very strong.”

This post has been promoted to an article]]> Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:29:01 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/57434-spa-francorchamps/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/57372-spa-francorchamps-race-2/ Valtteri Bottas was on his way to the podium when an engine problem slowed him down. He finished out of the points. The next meeting will be in Monza.

This post has been promoted to an article]]> Sun, 28 Aug 2011 13:56:00 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/57372-spa-francorchamps-race-2/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/57371-spa-francorchamps-race-1/ The track was fully wet for the race and the victory has been decided at the start.

This post has been promoted to an article]]> Sun, 28 Aug 2011 13:55:15 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/57371-spa-francorchamps-race-1/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/57297-spa-francorchamps-qualifying/ James Calado grabbed the pole position in front of his teammate Valtteri Bottas in a session with changing conditions.
The track was wet at the beginning of the session and quite dry at the end. Both Lotus ART drivers get the best of their slick tyres to finish the session on front.
For his first GP3 meeting, Richie Stanaway did a strong session but couldn’t used his slick tyres at best and finally ended 18th.

This post has been promoted to an article]]> Sat, 27 Aug 2011 14:45:09 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/57297-spa-francorchamps-qualifying/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/57296-spa-francorchamps-qualifying/ James Calado grabbed the pole position in front of his teammate Valtteri Bottas in a session with changing conditions.
The track was wet at the beginning of the session and quite dry at the end. Both Lotus ART drivers get the best of their slick tyres to finish the session on front.
For his first GP3 meeting, Richie Stanaway did a strong session but couldn’t used his slick tyres at best and finally ended 18th.]]> Sat, 27 Aug 2011 14:44:13 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/57296-spa-francorchamps-qualifying/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/57172-spa-francorchamps-practice/
James Calado had the 3^rd place when the chequered flag appeared.

Richie Stanaway, who discover the GP3 Series this week-end, ended 21^st.

The qualifying session will take place tomorrow morning.



This post has been promoted to an article]]> Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:25:23 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/57172-spa-francorchamps-practice/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/57012-richie-stanaway-joins-lotus-art/ Richie Stanaway will be joining Valtteri Bottas and James Calado in the GP3 Series championship starting with the Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) races to be held August 27 and 28...

Richie Stanaway was crowned 2010 ADAC Formula Masters Champion, and has won 9 of 12 races so far in the 2011 German Formula 3 championship. At age 19, the New Zealander convinced Lotus ART that he had the sporting and mental abilities needed to reinforce the duo of Valtteri and James, who have three wins between them, and are first and fifth in the overall ranking respectively.

Lotus ART’s Team Manager Frederic Vasseur declared, “I am truly very pleased to welcome Richie to our trio of drivers competing in the GP3 Series. He made an excellent human and sporting impression on the entire Lotus ART team from our very first meeting. Making the leap from German F3 to the GP3 Series mid-season for in his third year of competition in motorsport is a big challenge, and Lotus ART will be with him every step of the way, to make sure this partnership bears fruit.”

“I'm very excited about the opportunity to join Lotus ART for the remaining GP3 races of this season. I'm sure that it will be a great new environment for me to learn and test myself against the other drivers to see how my performance compares,” Richie said, “I'm very thankful to Lotus ART and Gravity for giving me this opportunity and I'm looking forward to the first race this weekend in Spa.”



This post has been promoted to an article]]> Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:38:26 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/57012-richie-stanaway-joins-lotus-art/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/56619-hungagoring/
James Calado might have shared the same fate as his teammate if he hadn’t been victim to a rival's exuberance during the start of the first race. Forced to dismount after being hit by a competitor, although he had taken a good start from the front row beside his teammate, James kept a cool head and a heavy foot, to make a fast and sure comeback from 25th position to 3rd in Sunday’s race.

Qualifying on the outside of the 5th row in the first race, Pedro Henrique Nunes took the chequered flag in both Hungarian races, finishing in 18th and 14th place.

In the championship, Valtteri moved up five places and Lotus ART moved up one. The Finnish driver and the team are leading their respective championships. James is in 4th, ten points behind Valtteri.



Valtteri Bottas:

“The first practice was a bit difficult for several reasons, but it was important to keep our heads down and the second practice as well as qualifying proved us right. I owe my first GP3 pole position to the team because we worked hard from the very first day we received our car last winter. The learning curve was genuinely crucial and it is paying back now. We have a better understanding of the car and its set-up, and of the way the tyres work. I knew the turning point of the first race was to have a good start because it is difficult to overtake on the Hungaroring. Mine was decent and I could push in the early stage of the race to open a gap. The car Lotus ART prepared for their drivers was just awesome and I was 100% comfortable, I could push without destroying the tyres. From then on, I made sure to put everything together and I backed off a bit to keep the tyres in good shape. On Sunday, the tag was to score as much points as possible; go from 8^th to 2^nd place was hard work and I enjoyed it very much. I think the win was a realistic target but it was not worth the risk at this stage of the championship and I wanted to capitalise on our good form after so many ups and downs at the beginning of the season. Now we have to stay focus and take the races one at a time. Being the leader of the championship is a great source of motivation. Pressure? Yes, only the good kind!”



James Calado:

“First of all, a big thank you to the team because what could have been a nightmare due to bad luck turned out to be a decent weekend thanks to Lotus ART and the collective effort without which we would never a podium after being hit by a rival at the start of the first race. We had our share of difficult times throughout the start of the season and the all Lotus ART front row was a fantastic result for the team, and for Valtteri and I. For the first time this season I feel in total control of the car and I was adamant to show that in race. Unfortunately it lasted a few meters… The next day, I basically had nothing to lose and I enjoyed myself a lot. I made a very good start on a damp track but could not see much coming into the first corner! I took a few risks and went for different lines. I could not believe I overtook 14 cars by the end of the first lap! As it turned out, the more aggressive you were, the more the tyres kept in the right temperature window and I was able to get past two or three drivers in the last few laps, and even in the last corner to take this third podium of the season. It is a bit frustrating because of the first race because I feel I did nothing wrong, but all the same I’m tied for fourth, just 3 points shy of 2nd and 10 points behind Valtteri. Everything is yet to be played.”

Pedro Nunes:

“I did my best qualifying of the season and was really happy and optimistic to start from the top 10 in the first race. Unfortunately, track conditions were really tough and changing, especially on Sunday. For whatever reason, I could not make the best use of my top 10 in the first race and I ended up 18th which was where I started on Sunday. I gained 4 positions despite extremely difficult conditions but it was not enough to aim for a points finish.”

Frederic Vasseur:

“Valtteri has secured as many points as Esteban Gutierrez (GP3 2010 Champion) did it in a single GP3 Series weekend, and that was at Silverstone last year. Valtteri was fast and solid behind the wheel under sometimes hellish conditions, and showed great maturity by attacking when necessary, and by saving his package when he had to as well. A special mention goes out to James who, if he hadn’t been hit by a competitor in the start of the first race, could have obtained a raw result similar to Valtteri’s. His second race is without a doubt a high point in the championship. Lotus ART can be proud of having provided its drivers with the best conditions for obtaining the results they deserve and which enable the entire team to take a bit of rest before the champion resumes next month in Belgium.”

This post has been promoted to an article]]> Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:40:13 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/56619-hungagoring/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/56610-hungaroring-race-2/ nd and 3rd positions in the second race of the GP3 Series. Valtteri Bottas ended second in front of James Calado who did a great race to come back from the back of the field on a full wet track. Pedro Nunes came back to 15^th.

The team leaves Hungary leading both championships.



Next meeting will be in Spa at the end of August.



This post has been promoted to an article]]> Mon, 01 Aug 2011 09:27:27 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/56610-hungaroring-race-2/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/56514-hungagoring-race-1/
His teammates have been less lucky as James Calado had to retire following an accident with Mitch Evans who started behind him.

Pedro Nunes has been pushed at the first corner and slide down the classification to finally end 19^th.

Rcae 2 will start tomorrow at 8h30.



This post has been promoted to an article]]> Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:05:54 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/56514-hungagoring-race-1/ http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/56513-hungaroring-qualifying/
Pedro Nunes had his best qualifying performance of the season so far with the 10th place.

Race 1 will start at 17h20.



This post has been promoted to an article]]> Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:05:39 +0000 http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/56513-hungaroring-qualifying/