Belgian F1 GP: Grosjean, Maldonado defend Lotus amid troubles

Grosjean conjured a surprise fourth place in Spa F1 qualifying, though he will lose five places to a gearbox-change penalty, with Maldonado eighth.

AUTOSPORT understands Renault is close to completing a buyout of Lotus, while a legal battle with former reserve driver Charles Pic means the cars could be impounded in Belgium.

"It shows how strong the group of people who are here is," said Grosjean of the Spa result.

"I've said since day one that with this car the baseline was really good and with some development it could be a very good car.

"It shows we know how to produce a really good car, a podium finisher or maybe a winning car.

"Yes, we haven't had much development this year. Imagine five tenths [of a second] development on the car and it would be very close to Mercedes here, which is quite nice."

Like Grosjean, Maldonado feels the qualifying performance amid the off-track distractions speaks volumes about Lotus as a team.

"It's clear there are some problems, but they are not covering us as a race team," said Maldonado.

"Every time we have a problem we work and we solve it. There is a very strong and united team here which is great.

"We've show the potential even in the past in difficult times. We need to carry on like this, optimistic and together."

Grosjean's qualifying result was his best since he started third for the 2013 United States GP.

"Initially we thought qualifying P11 and saving another set of tyres, and with the grid penalty starting 16th, would be good," he said.

"Then Q2 went pretty well, and in Q3 it was a case of just give it everything and it went well.

"I think we are surprised, but it shows we have been working in a good direction.

"It was just good to have a car that stuck to the track and you could push it to the limit.

"It reminded me of some of the good old times."