Bahrain F1 test: Lotus set for late start on final day of work

Pastor Maldonado managed just 26 laps in Bahrain on Friday as the team struggled to get the necessary mileage on its twin-tusked E22.

The problems are gearbox-related, according to the team, which produces its own units in-house.

"Unfortunately, in the afternoon we had a number of gearbox-related problems," said Lotus trackside operations director Alan Permane.

"Renault have made good progress with the software and energy store, so we are headed in the right direction in that regards.

"We have identified the issue related to our gearbox and we have parts on their way from Enstone.

"Given the distance they have to travel, we may not be out first thing tomorrow but we expect to be able to make further progress once we do take to the track."

Pastor Maldonado, on his first public day in the Lotus having previously driven for the team on promotional days at Jerez, insists he is not concerned about the engine.

He is scheduled to continue on Saturday and expects his team to make progress.

"We never had a big problem with the engine," said Maldonado.

"We're still getting there with maps, electronic things, which is normal; all the teams are doing that.

"The Mercedes engine for sure has done more laps than the Renault but at the moment it is difficult to say because we've only had three days in the car and we didn't have huge engine problems.

"We didn't just have one issue, we fixed some problems and back at the garage we spent some time looking at everything, then back on the track we find more problems.

"We are working to get there, I think it is a good team and they know what to do, so we hope to improve."