Lotus F1 team capable of 'fighting' Ferrari

The Enstone-based team has faced legal battles and an uncertain future throughout the season, with talks of a takeover by Renault continuing.

As a result, Lotus has been limited on the amount of development it can do and yet still managed to score a podium in Belgium through Romain Grosjean.

Maldonado says the fact Lotus is still able to score points at this stage of the season, despite having a car that is not very different to the one it started the year with, proves it could have been among the frontrunners.

"The background we have in the factory and the quality of people in the team, I think it's one of the best in Formula 1," said Maldonado.

"The only problem is the financial thing.

"We have a car from the beginning of season and we are still fighting for points so imagine if we had situation to develop the car?

"If we had potential to develop our car in the right direction maybe we would be not winning races as Mercedes have everything they need be to be where they are but we would be much closer to Ferrari and Williams."

When asked if he believed Lotus could be the second quickest on the grid, Maldonado said: "Maybe not the second but fighting for the second for sure.

"Second or third behind Ferrari or close to Ferrari.

"It's always difficult to predict where you will be but for sure it would be better than where we are. It's a very good car."