Lotus delighted with recovery after Spa first-lap mess

Jarno Trulli had to struggle with floor damage and Heikki Kovalainen required a new front wing after they were pushed into each other at Spa as the aftermath of a clash between Timo Glock and Paul di Resta unfolded.

But they recovered very strongly to finish ahead of the other 'new' teams and Rubens Barrichello's Williams.

"That is a very good result for the whole team today and goes down as one of our strongest performances since we came into the sport," said Gascoyne. "We had a poor start where both cars were last after making contact in the first corner but we recovered very well, and to have finished in 14th and 15th after that is very pleasing.

"Both drivers were excellent today, but the pit crew deserve special praise for having taken a massive step forward in their performance. All our stops were exactly what we needed so congratulations to them for a job very well done today."

Trulli said it had been one of his most fulfilling races of the season, as he had a chance to battle with Bruno Senna's Renault during the course of the grand prix.

"I had a great start, passing a few other cars away from the line but then the accident in T1 [La Source] meant both Heikki and I suffered damage - him to his nosecone, me to the floor and I had to run the whole race with that damage, so to finish 14th after that is just fantastic," he enthused.

"Apart from the start I enjoyed the whole race - I passed a number of cars and when the safety car came out I was able to close the gap to the cars ahead. That gave me the chance to fight with the Renault and I passed him and was then able to keep pace with the other guys ahead.

"Racing like this, with no problems and with a car I can fight with all afternoon is very satisfying, so now I can't wait to get back in when we get to Italy and keep up the momentum we've built up here."