Lotus is confident that it will be able to deliver on its target of improved qualifying performance in the next few races, having come close to victory again in the Canadian Grand Prix.
Romain Grosjean secured another second place in Montreal after producing stunning consistency in the race when hot conditions favoured the nature of his E20 car. The team is well aware, however, that it needs to start qualifying further up the grid so it can capitalize better on its race pace. That step forward will come if it can learn to use its tyres better for single-lap performance rather than long-term degradation.
"I am not sure if the car is very sensitive," team principal Eric Boullier said when asked if the 2012 Lotus was best only at hot temperatures.
"We know these tires have a range that is very small, and obviously when you have a car that is conservative with the tires you need some help to heat the tires and make them work. But we definitely have some ideas about what to do now. There is a way to do it. I am not saying we will be fighting for pole position, but we will definitely be qualifying better."
Boullier thinks the result in Montreal will be a big boost to the team's morale, and acts as a good reward after the disappointment of Monaco, where Lotus had been expected to fight for victory.
"Monaco was a special case," said Boullier. "Romain was fast in free practice, and fast enough in qualifying, but he had an issue at the start of the race. So it is good for him and the team to show in Canada that we can keep the momentum."