• British Grand Prix

Lotus targets established teams at Silverstone

Mike Gascoyne is hoping the updated T127 will challenge the cars in front © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Race:
• British Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Mike Gascoyne
• |
• Heikki Kovalainen

• Teams:
• Team Lotus

Lotus is hoping that its last major update of the season at the British Grand Prix will allow it to fight the established teams ahead of it on the grid.

Lotus has made significant progress in its debut year, slashing the gap to the likes of Toro Rosso and Sauber by over a second in the first half of the season. The team has always maintained that 2010 would be a learning process and that its first truly competitive car would hit the track in 2011. However, the car has been updated throughout the year, and for its home grand prix at Silverstone, will feature one of its biggest yet.

"We're looking to take another step forward this weekend, with an update package that will give us another chance to take the fight to the teams ahead," chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne said. "We have a number of lightweight parts across the car that, among other benefits, will help us use the ballast more effectively, giving our drivers a better chance to optimise balance and setup. We also have the last major aero modifications of the season, including a new floor and various bodywork updates, and then the design team's attention turns to next year's car.

"It's a very exciting time for Lotus Racing, and our second home race of the season will be a great occasion for everyone associated with our team, and a great chance for the fans to see us in competitive action for the first time in the UK."

Heikki Kovalainen said he is looking forward to putting the updated car through its paces at Silverstone, one of his favourite tracks in Formula One.

"The first sector of the circuit is the best sector on the whole F1 calendar - lots of fast bits that require maximum commitment," he said. "I haven't driven the new part [of the circuit] yet but I've heard it's going to be great and we have some more updates coming that I hope will keep moving us closer to those ahead and further away from the other new teams."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.