Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado both expect the Lotus F1 Team to struggle at the next race weekend on the 2014 calendar, which takes place at the Monza circuit in Italy.
The drivers believe the historic track will not suit the Renault-powered E22, as it features several long straights and flat-out sections.
However, Monza holds fond memories for both drivers and they are looking forward to returning to Italy for the final European round of the season.
"I like Monza a lot because it is so distinctive," Grosjean said. "Monza is a great track that has a lot of great racing history. This makes it nice for us to compete at a place where all our heroes raced too.
"There is a lot of atmosphere around the track and to race in the setting of the royal park makes for a really special ambience. Of course the Ferrari fans are a big part of it and it is really nice competing at such a legendary venue."
The Frenchman is anticipating a difficult weekend. "I think that it will be tough for us," he explained. "On paper it is not one of the races that we should do that well at.
"But as always we will be fighting hard and trying to get the maximum from the weekend, so that it gives us good momentum for the Singapore weekend later in September when we should be stronger and the track should suit the E22 a little better.
"We will have a one-off rear wing for Monza and the key will be to make the car as quick as possible from an aero point of view, so that we can get back some of the performance from our straight-line speed disadvantage. Then we have to manage the tyre degradation.
"Also for us it will be tricky in the big corners like the Lesmos and the Ascari chicane because the less downforce you have then the more difficult it is to get good grip in the turns. It is a tough compromise but one I am sure that the team will get the best solution possible."
He also commented on the recent changes to the famous Parabolica corner. The unforgiving gravel trap has now been replaced by tarmac run-off area. "Parabolica is a very challenging and quick corner so from a safety point of view it is a good thing to have some more margin for the drivers," Grosjean said.
"I remember sometimes in the past coming in to the corner and knowing that to brake even a little bit too late then you could be straight in the gravel and then straight to the wall at high speed. I think that now what you will see is the drivers finding the limits sooner, because we know there will not be the big gravel and crash penalty like previously."
Maldonado also shared his thoughts on the modification: "I don’t think it will make too much difference really. The approach will be the same which is to take it as quickly and efficiently as possible.
"Of course there is the obvious safety element which means that you have less risk if you go off. I think this is good from a safety point of view because it is a quick corner with not that much room on the outside."
Like Grosjean, the Venezuelan is expecting Lotus to struggle at Monza. "For sure it is going to be a tough weekend again for us at Lotus F1 Team," he admitted. "Monza is all about power combined with a low downforce set-up so it is a big challenge.
"I think it will be interesting to see the new 2014-spec cars here because the track is so unique and there is a very particular way to get the best out of the cars.
"They will be difficult to drive I think for everyone but we will be doing our best to put the Spa weekend behind us and to get more positive energy going before we head off on the long haul races."
He is looking forward to returning to Italy despite relatively low expectations for the race weekend: "I like Monza and I love Italy. I actually used to live very close to the circuit when I was starting my career here in Europe. I have won races here so it holds some good memories and special feelings for sure.
"I have a lot of friends here and a lot of supporters who come and see me at the track, so it is very nice to catch up with them all. The track is totally unique and of course it is great to be racing where all the old heroes did too.
"Monza has changed only very slightly over the years and it still has the character of the old banking and the parkland trees as you drive through it and of course the fans create a great atmosphere which is a great soundtrack to the Grand Prix."
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| © Octane Photographic |
However, Monza holds fond memories for both drivers and they are looking forward to returning to Italy for the final European round of the season.
"I like Monza a lot because it is so distinctive," Grosjean said. "Monza is a great track that has a lot of great racing history. This makes it nice for us to compete at a place where all our heroes raced too.
"There is a lot of atmosphere around the track and to race in the setting of the royal park makes for a really special ambience. Of course the Ferrari fans are a big part of it and it is really nice competing at such a legendary venue."
The Frenchman is anticipating a difficult weekend. "I think that it will be tough for us," he explained. "On paper it is not one of the races that we should do that well at.
"But as always we will be fighting hard and trying to get the maximum from the weekend, so that it gives us good momentum for the Singapore weekend later in September when we should be stronger and the track should suit the E22 a little better.
"We will have a one-off rear wing for Monza and the key will be to make the car as quick as possible from an aero point of view, so that we can get back some of the performance from our straight-line speed disadvantage. Then we have to manage the tyre degradation.
"Also for us it will be tricky in the big corners like the Lesmos and the Ascari chicane because the less downforce you have then the more difficult it is to get good grip in the turns. It is a tough compromise but one I am sure that the team will get the best solution possible."
He also commented on the recent changes to the famous Parabolica corner. The unforgiving gravel trap has now been replaced by tarmac run-off area. "Parabolica is a very challenging and quick corner so from a safety point of view it is a good thing to have some more margin for the drivers," Grosjean said.
"I remember sometimes in the past coming in to the corner and knowing that to brake even a little bit too late then you could be straight in the gravel and then straight to the wall at high speed. I think that now what you will see is the drivers finding the limits sooner, because we know there will not be the big gravel and crash penalty like previously."
Maldonado also shared his thoughts on the modification: "I don’t think it will make too much difference really. The approach will be the same which is to take it as quickly and efficiently as possible.
"Of course there is the obvious safety element which means that you have less risk if you go off. I think this is good from a safety point of view because it is a quick corner with not that much room on the outside."
Like Grosjean, the Venezuelan is expecting Lotus to struggle at Monza. "For sure it is going to be a tough weekend again for us at Lotus F1 Team," he admitted. "Monza is all about power combined with a low downforce set-up so it is a big challenge.
"I think it will be interesting to see the new 2014-spec cars here because the track is so unique and there is a very particular way to get the best out of the cars.
"They will be difficult to drive I think for everyone but we will be doing our best to put the Spa weekend behind us and to get more positive energy going before we head off on the long haul races."
He is looking forward to returning to Italy despite relatively low expectations for the race weekend: "I like Monza and I love Italy. I actually used to live very close to the circuit when I was starting my career here in Europe. I have won races here so it holds some good memories and special feelings for sure.
"I have a lot of friends here and a lot of supporters who come and see me at the track, so it is very nice to catch up with them all. The track is totally unique and of course it is great to be racing where all the old heroes did too.
"Monza has changed only very slightly over the years and it still has the character of the old banking and the parkland trees as you drive through it and of course the fans create a great atmosphere which is a great soundtrack to the Grand Prix."
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