Lotus open-minded about racing double-DRS at Spa

Lotus is open-minded about whether or not its radical double-DRS will race in the Belgian Grand Prix

Lotus open-minded about racing double-DRS at Spa

The outfit was encouraged by early testing of the system that was undertaken by Kimi Raikkonen in Germany and Hungary, and the team is hoping it will be ready for Spa.

However, technical director James Allison says the final call will depend on how confident the team is on its running trouble-free - which it probably will not know until both Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean have tested it in practice.

Speaking about the work undertaken at the team's factory during the summer break, Allison said: "A big focus has been getting ready for Monza which is immediately after Spa and requires a unique downforce package.

"It's only one race but it requires a whole new set of wings and a disproportionate amount of work.

"We've also been focusing on ensuring that we have the capability to run the new device in Spa should we be confident enough to do so."

The Lotus double-DRS is designed to help provide a straight-line speed boost in race conditions - unlike the Mercedes concept that is primarily beneficial in qualifying when the wings are open.

Grosjean hopes that the design, plus other upgrades the team are bringing, should help the outfit in its ambition to win its first grand prix of the season.

"It's going to be good," he said about the weekend. "I hope the upgrades to the car are going to make the difference.

"If we'd had the pace we displayed at Budapest on a more normal track with better places to overtake we could have taken the win. Spa is a more regular circuit with good passing opportunities, so let's see what happens."

Speaking specifically about the double DRS, he added: "If it gives me an advantage I'm certainly looking forward to driving with it!

"I'm sure it will be a good thing, especially if we have it working well. Hopefully it gives us an advantage and the race win that we want."

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