Owner hints all change for 2012 Lotus lineup
Global Motorsport Media
Team owner Gerard Lopez has confirmed reports Lotus could change its driver lineup completely ahead of the 2012 season.
Already signed up for next year is Kimi Raikkonen, amid reports 2011 drivers Bruno Senna and Vitaly Petrov are the main contenders to be the famous Finn's teammate.
"It's not just a question of Vitaly or Bruno," clarified majority team owner Genii Capital's Lopez.
Other reports say reserve driver and new GP2 champion Romain Grosjean - whose career is handled by Genii's management arm Gravity - as well as likely Force India refugee Adrian Sutil, are also in the running.
"We will make a decision fairly quickly," Lopez told RTL Luxembourg radio.
The huge problem at the moment is the little testing in Formula One
He seemed to indicate that Brazilian Senna, who was drafted in mid-season to replace injured Robert Kubica's initial substitute Nick Heidfeld, is not the favourite.
"From the second half of the season we had two young drivers in Vitaly and Bruno," he said.
"They are really good drivers, but the huge problem at the moment is the little testing in Formula One. We do not have time to build up young drivers."
Share Or Save This Story
Which modern Formula 1 driver raced for the most teams?
New all-electric Formula G series to begin in 2024 with radical format
The brief F1 pairing that brought “fun” to Sauber
Otmar Szafnauer reveals failed Kimi Raikkonen bid involving "Angry Birds" founders
Esteban Ocon explains why he collided with Sergio Perez so often at Force India
Former Force India F1 boss Fernley dies aged 70
2026 Singapore Grand Prix: Guide to schedule, driver meet-ups, and race week parties
Jeb Burton joins RSS Racing, will drive father Ward Burton's No. 22
Stewart Friesen to run Kyle Busch throwback scheme in Charlotte NASCAR Truck race
Red Bull is overcoming ADUO restrictions but still calls on tweaks for F1 2027
Three kings: F1's generational stars shone at Sepang
How F1 let a golden opportunity slip at Sepang
How the Bahrain GP in Malaysia exposed Red Bull’s hidden resurgence
You Ask The Questions: Emerson Fittipaldi
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments