Early lap feeling key to Lotus win hopes in Spanish Grand Prix reckons Romain Grosjean

That is the view of third place starter Grosjean, who says that the team will be in pretty good shape if it has delivered a balance as good as the two drivers had in Bahrain a fortnight ago.

With many labelling Lotus as favourite for the win on the back of its very strong race pace in Friday practice, Grosjean sees no reason to dismiss the team's chances - but says the pair will only know for definite early in the race.

"If we have the same surprise as we had in Bahrain, by starting the race and having a car that is fantastic, then we will look at a good result again," said Grosjean.

"We will see after the start, and how the car is in the first few laps. If I have the same feeling as I had in the first few laps in Bahrain, then I will think about it."

Raikkonen too feels positive about the fact that Lotus has often proved to be quicker in race pace this season than in single-lap qualifying trim.

"The result is one of the best this year in qualifying but we had a chance to do better," he said. "I had some mistake in corner nine so we lost two tenths, but it is good.

"The race is going to be different again, but usually our car is better in the race than qualifying."