• Bahrain Grand Prix

Lotus has one simple aim - just to finish

Tony Fernandes and Mike Gascoyne have realistic aims for the season opener © Sutton Images

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• Drivers:
• Tony Fernandes
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• Mike Gascoyne

• Teams:
• Team Lotus

Lotus team principal Tony Fernandes has said finishing the race will be the marque's main target for its return grand prix this weekend.

The team only joined the group testing fray from the penultimate test at Jerez following a whirlwind five months in which it had to design and build its 2010 car, hire staff and get prepared for the season. Fernandes admits on the evidence so far, the car is likely to be at the back of the field with the other newcomers.

"To have Lotus Racing on the grid will be a momentous occasion for all involved and, indeed, for our fans, whose support has been absolutely fantastic since we launched just under six months ago," he said. "Yes, we're a little slower than the major leading teams. However, we'll get there, with passion, hard work and a clear vision. Our aim for this first grand prix will be to finish and steadily but surely improve, race by race."

Lotus' technical chief Mike Gascoyne believes that the car's form has been affected by the fact that the outfit has had its focus on reliability from the outset. "Our test season was extremely productive," he said. "In general, we've had very good reliability, and the team is in very good shape going to the first race.

"Normally you are chipping away and finding tenths, but now we are looking at updates that will bring us a second. You have to bear in mind that when we were finalising the design of this car, doing the crash structure and radiator inlets, it was still a month away from going in a wind tunnel. The basic radiator configuration had to be designed with no cooling figures, and no data.

"People have said the bodywork at the rear is a bit chunky, and it is … because when we were deciding on cooling figures we didn't have any engine data. And when we took the route that we want to finish the first few races, we had to make sure that it cools, and does all the right things, so we had to do it like that.

"Just bringing a modern Formula One team to the grid is a significant achievement. The adage of 'to finish first, first you have to finish' is a legendary quote. The reality though, is that you have to be there in the first place. Ask USGP or the Stefan organisation."

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