FIRST PODIUM FOR KENNOL AND LOTUS IN WEC

Lotus is still developping its brand new LMP2 prototype, but taking a podium finish is not something you refuse when you have the opportunity! And Lotus drivers LIUZZI, ROSSITER, WEEDA, HOLZER, KRAIHAMER and CHAROUZ were happy to celebrate this 3rd place when one of the 2 prototypes took the checkered flag, a few days ago, at the 1st FIA WEC race at the new Circuit of The Americas, in Texas.

We felt that potential was huge, and now we know it.

Christophe BOUCHUT, driver

▌ IN DEVELOPMENT…BUT WORKING QUITE WELL!

Lotus Praga LMP2 achieved its first podium at the 6 Hours of the Circuit of the Americas. Thomas Holzer, Dominik Kraihamer and Jan Charouz in Lotus Praga T128 LMP2 #32 finished the race in third position in LMP2 class.

It was the first podium of the season for Lotus Praga LMP2 and also the biggest success for the team so far in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The result is the first step of very hard work, the necessary change in the technical direction with steady improvements and a clear view of what has to be achieved in order to be competitive. At the beginning of the race though, the team has overcome a shock and thought everything was lost, when Jan Charouz (#32) was turned around by a competitor and James Rossiter (#31) had contact with another car in Turn 1. The Briton had to stop car #31 due to a broken steering arm as a result of the collision.

▌ PROTOTYPE SHOWS SOME GOOD STUFF

The drivers of car #32 focused on their race and did constant lap times. They were running trouble-free and with a good speed until the end of the race. Lotus Praga LMP2 is pleased with the outcome of the 6 Hours of the Circuit of the Americas and wants build on the success in the next races.

James Rossiter, Race Driver #31:
“It was a crazy weekend with torrid heat and heavy rain showers. The Circuit of the Americas is fun to drive and it would have been good to race more than just some meters. Unfortunately, I had contact with another car at the start and as a result the steering arm was broken. It is a shame that we couldn’t race until the end. But I am very happy for the team and the sister car #32 about the podium finish. We will work hard and fight back in Fuji.”

Thomas Holzer, Race Driver #32:
“I am very happy about our podium in Austin. We were all surprised about the result but it is a nice surprise. Everybody in the team deserved it and finally the hard work has paid off. It was great to be on the podium but nevertheless, we have to keep on working hard to have more strong results at the next races. I want to thank the team for their great job and I am looking forward to the next events.”

Thomas Holzer, Race Driver #32:
“I am very happy about our podium in Austin. We were all surprised about the result but it is a nice surprise. Everybody in the team deserved it and finally the hard work has paid off. It was great to be on the podium but nevertheless, we have to keep on working hard to have more strong results at the next races. I want to thank the team for their great job and I am looking forward to the next events.”

And indeed, as 3 times FIA World Champion Christophe BOUCHUT told us this season, “this prototype is still under development, but it’s really well-born, we should see some huge improvement even in the very short scale…”.

▌ NEXT SEASON COULD SEE SEVERAL TEAMS INTERESTED IN THIS CAR

If development keeps running this way, and without further issues due to race incidents, Lotus Praga LMP2 should be ready for next season, with loads of potential, and world-class championships such as ALMS, ELMS, WEC, 24 Hours of Le Mans, 12H of Sebring, ROLEX 24 at Daytona should become the new playgrounds for this amazing prorotype. As rumours say around the paddock, several teams are interested, and even new teams, from other FIA championships are in the waiting line for 2014….so stay tuned!
Meanwhile, next round for FIA WEC takes place in Shanghai, China, 8-9 Nov. Details about the track and records on FIA World Endurance Championship website.