- Monaco GP - FP2
Lotus a long way off top ten - Grosjean
Romain Grosjean thinks Lotus needs a change in the weather on Saturday if it is to get itself back into contention for a top ten finish in Monaco after struggling to find grip on the opening day of practice.
Grosjean could only manage 13th in FP1, finishing just ahead of team-mate Pastor Maldonado, and had dropped to 16th in the rain-affected afternoon session. Lotus struggled with a lack of tyre temperature but Grosjean thinks only a hotter track on Saturday will propel Lotus into Q3.
"The tyres are too hard, I think for everyone," Grosjean said. "We know that when we have a hot track it's a good advantage for us. It was one of our problems and the rear of the car is not very predictable but hopefully Saturday will be weather and in terms of car balance as well.
"I think we are doing our best to help that but then you get rid of all your tools. It is something we are struggling with at the moment but it is going to be better on Saturday but hopefully the summer is coming!
"On a normal track even if your car is a bit tricky from the rear end it doesn't matter because there gravel or there is space to go wide, but there is none. On Saturday we will just have to push hard and trust that the rear end will go for it! It will be nice to be in the top ten but at the moment we do not look close to it but it may come."
Despite the frustrating opening day of practice Grosjean is encouraged by the signs of improvement he saw from the E22.
"The car is getting better, don't get me wrong. The car is getting better as everything works better together. We knew that it could be a bit tricky with our car this year and so far it is what it is, and with the track getting more grip and the temperature improving it may unlock more potential."
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