Lotus to keep Grosjean, test 2015 nose (Update)
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| Existing nose |
(GMM) Lotus has confirmed it will test a conventional nose solution ahead of next weekend's US grand prix.
The struggling team has run an unique, asymmetrical and double-pronged 'walrus'-style nose in 2014, but currently sits just eighth in the constructors' standings with three races to go.
Enstone based Lotus is switching to field-leading Mercedes power for 2015, which has helped bosses to convince Frenchman Romain Grosjean to stay.
"Romain is in pole position and honestly it's a case of us finalizing a few details," said deputy team boss Federico Gastaldi.
Grosjean himself confirmed that he and Lotus are "very close" to a deal.
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| Romain Grosjean to keep his Lotus seat |
Pastor Maldonado, who has scored none of the team's eight points in 2014, is also staying put for 2015, and the pair will reportedly have a standard, Mercedes-style nose out in front of their car next season.
It is to comply with the FIA's tweaked nose regulations, introduced after the plethora of aesthetically questionable solutions seen on the 2014 grid.
Lotus will test its vastly-different version in Friday practice in Austin.
"It won't be the definite launch E23 nose but it is an E23-style nose that we are putting on an E22 for evaluation," confirmed technical boss Nick Chester.
10/20/14 Lotus will test a new nose during practice for the United States Grand Prix, as the team looks to finalize its design for the 2015 campaign.
The Enstone-based outfit has been running with a twin-tusk concept this season, one of many controversial responses to the safety-driven nose changes.
But Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, has acted to eradicate these designs over the winter, moving teams towards the low nose style used by Mercedes and Ferrari.
A Lotus spokesperson confirmed to GPUpdate.net that the squad will trial a new nose at the Circuit of The Americas, before returning to its twin-tusk design for the race.
It has not been decided who, out of Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado, will conduct the running.