- Lotus
Maldonado expecting 'difficult weekend' in Canada
Despite its recent progress Pastor Maldonado thinks Lotus may have a frustrating weekend ahead in Canada due to the nature of the Montreal circuit.
Since a disastrous start to the season Lotus has developed rapidly, with Romain Grosjean scoring its first points in Barcelona and following that up with another eighth place in Monaco, though Maldonado failed to make it off the grid. But Maldonado thinks Lotus struggled at both races with top speed and low-speed corners - two characteristics the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is famous for - and believes that could cause problems for Lotus in Canada.
"It could be a difficult weekend for the team, for sure," Maldonado said. "We are not expecting to be at the top, simply because of the type of track and how we understand our car and its performance strengths and weaknesses.
"We need to work very hard in the low-speed corners. In medium and high-speed corners, such as at Barcelona, we were very competitive. It was only in the last sector in Spain that we were losing a little bit against the other teams because it is the slow part of the circuit. Top speed and slow corners are probably the weakest points of our car now."
Maldonado says Lotus have been working flat-out to solve both problems.
"[Canada] is not very aggressive on the tyres either, so we'll see how it is when we head out to track. Anything can happen and our guys are all working very hard to adapt the car to find more traction in the slow corners and squeeze out some more top speed."
Despite his concerns about the circuit Maldonado is certain there is plenty more progress to be made by Lotus, especially on a circuit notorious for changeable conditions.
"Monaco wasn't reflective of how much the team has progressed and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to really show how strong we're becoming. With the variable weather we've seen there in the past, anything can happen in Montréal, however I would like to see us bringing home some good points for the team.
"It will be tough as it's going to be such a tricky track for us, however if we can put in a solid performance and get the most out of the car then I think we could be in a good position."
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