Chinese GP: Romain Grosjean says Lotus F1 team recovery is genuine

After a disappointing first three races as Lotus played catch-up following a difficult winter, Grosjean rewarded the team in China by making it through to Q3 for the first time this year.

And he reckons it was a well-earned performance, as he sets his sights on delivering the team's first points of the season.

"I think it's no miracle, it's work," he said after securing 10th on the grid. "I think it's a little bit of everything.

"We understood our aerodynamics a little bit more , our suspension and yesterday was a good day. FP2 was OK.

"The track characteristics lend themselves to power, but in the wet conditions this morning it was working really well.

"It was a little bit more difficult in Q3 with the rain amount being higher, but generally it's good to be in Q3. And we can run and learn the car. And when we learn we progress."

Although Lotus remains behind Renault's fastest team Red Bull, Grosjean thinks the gap is closing down.

"Renault has been working, Lotus has been working, and we are now having some lead of where to go with the car and what we need to develop the car," he said.

"That's the way it's going, so positive."

Grosjean's team-mate Pastor Maldonado did not run in qualifying as his Lotus required an engine change following a leak in final practice.