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Lotus still believes it is worth developing its double DRS design for the remainder of the season, even though rule changes will make the concept illegal for next year.
The Enstone-based outfit is hoping to race its DRS concept for the first time at the Belgian Grand Prix, following successful tests in Germany and Hungary.
Unlike the Mercedes system, which provides a straightline speed boost when DRS is activated, it is understood that the Lotus design delivers its biggest benefit when the wing is closed. That could ensure a big performance gain at tracks like Spa, which feature long straights.
Lotus technical director James Allison told AUTOSPORT that although any improvements to its DRS cannot be carried over to 2013, there was still good reason to keep pushing on with work on it for the remainder of this season.
"There are changes to the rules to outlaw the double DRS things, yes," he explained. "But there is benefit to he had.
"We are only halfway through a 20-race season, just over halfway through. It's not like we are near the end, so there is plenty of merit to having something like this."
Lotus team principal Eric Boullier said in Hungary that he was happy with the progress being made with its DRS work.
"I think the pace is reasonably positive," he explained. "We took it step-by-step because we don't see a drastic gain.
"If there is a gain to find, we need to bring it to the car. I think there is still some work to be done on it but, in one of the next races, it will be on both cars."
