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Boullier targets 'top team' tag

ESPNF1 Staff
February 6, 2012 « Whitmarsh admits to dummy exhausts | Sauber launches C31 in Jerez »
Eric Boullier expects Lotus to challenge Mercedes with the E20 © Lotus F1 Team
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Eric Boullier says that he wants Lotus to be "seen as a top team" in 2012 after unveiling its new car.

In 2011 the R31 showed promise with back-to-back podiums in the first two races, but the front-exiting exhausts proved difficult to develop and the team was only just able to hold off Force India to finish fifth in the constructors' championship. The E20 is the first car to be developed in a new 60% scale wind tunnel, and Boullier said he hoped the team could move forward to challenge on a more regular basis this year.

"Obviously 2012 is very welcome after a poor 2011 and very hectic year," Boullier said. "It's clear we've maintained our ambition on track and we want to carry on the full restructuring, progress and change that we started one year ago. We now have a clear target. We know that we have a strong commitment from our shareholders, that we want to be a top team and seen as a top team."

Boullier added that he expected the new car to allow the team to close the gap to the front-running teams and was aiming to challenge Mercedes for fourth place in the constructors' standings.

"2012 will be the year of our final adjustment to be ready and fully operational from 2013 with an ambitious plan. For 2012 we expect to be in a position to fight for fourth place for the championship."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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