HVM driver Simona de Silvestro is still confident that the Lotus-powered IndyCar teams can be on the pace by the St. Petersburg season opener later this month despite their problems so far.
Lotus is running behind fellow engine suppliers Honda and Chevrolet in its 2012 preparations. It has been unable to provide as many engines as its rivals, began testing later, and suffered a misfire on de Silvestro's car – its only representative on track – on day one of open testing at Sebring on Monday. But de Silvestro reckons Lotus is still making good enough progress in testing and does not think it will be lagging behind when the season starts.
"We have a lot of work ahead of us and we just need to go through the process," she said. "I think we see that we are a little bit behind, but if we keep improving, like we did at the last test, we should be fine for St. Pete."
As well as HVM, Lotus has formed partnerships with Bryan Herta's Team Barracuda-BHA team, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, and Dragon Racing, and has a supply deal with new team MSR Indy, although Michael Shank's squad is set to miss the start of the season due to a funding shortfall.