• Hungarian Grand Prix
Comments: 16

Lotus 'would have won at Spa'

ESPN Staff
July 30, 2012 « Massa frustrated by lack of overtaking opportunities | Horner tiring of Red Bull criticism »
Eric Boullier insists he is only encouraged by finishing second and third despite being so close to victory © Sutton Images
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Lotus team principal Eric Boullier says that Kimi Raikkonen would have won the Hungarian Grand Prix if overtaking wasn't so difficult on the circuit.

Raikkonen finished second and Romain Grosjean was third as both drivers challenged Lewis Hamilton at times in the race but could not find a way past the leading McLaren. The result leaves Lotus still searching for its first win of 2012 but an upbeat Boullier said that if the same race had happened at a track such as Spa where overtaking is possible than victory would have been a certainty.

"It's a good complaint to have both drivers on the podium and unhappy!" Boullier said. "Qualifying for us could have been better and every part of the weekend. It's good to be in a position to start fifth and be chasing the leader for nearly twenty laps. We knew here it is difficult to overtake, but if the same scenario had happened in Spa or one of the races after then definitely we would win the race."

With Lotus now having come so close to winning on numerous occasions this year, Boullier said there was no hint of frustration from the team with the result.

"It's definitely not frustrating, definitely encouraging. Because on a different track layout Romain was capable of overtaking Lewis in the first stint and Kimi would have been able to overtake Lewis in the second stint and a one-two was possible."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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