Lotus aims to secure 10th place in style

With the lucrative 10th position decided on countback of best race results for the teams that have not scored, Heikki Kovalainen's 12th place for Lotus in Japan has placed it ahead of Hispania and Virgin.

Technical chief Mike Gascoyne said the clear objective for the weekend was to make absolutely certain of its position by finishing in front of Lotus's 'class rivals'.

"The goal is obviously to finish 10th [in the championship], and we would like to do that in the same style we have shown all season - by beating those around us, so everyone will be putting in one last big effort to repay the faith shown in us by our fans all year and everyone who has helped us reach this point of the season," he said.

Kovalainen agreed with Gascoyne on the manner in which 10th place should be secured.

"I'm excited about the race and I think we'll be in good shape to keep up the pressure on the guys around us," he said.

Jarno Trulli echoed these sentiments, and after a season in which he has often suffered frustrating problems in races, he hoped to be able to run with his team-mate to the flag.

"It's the last race but for me it's still all about getting my car across the finish line with Heikki so we can tie up 10th place," Trulli said.

Championship result notwithstanding, team owner Tony Fernandes is extremely pleased with Lotus's first year.

"As we approach the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix I feel a great sense of accomplishment and delivery," Fernandes said. "In just one year we have delivered a team that has presented itself and behaved like one that has been racing for a long time."