Lopez: E22 design gamble backfired
After successful seasons in 2012 and 2013 with two race wins and several podiums, Lotus were expected to be there or thereabouts again this year, but they have fallen by the wayside.
The Enstone squad are eighth in the Constructors' Championship with just eight points and they last finished in the top 10 at the Monaco Grand Prix back in May.
Lopez, who is also the team's acting team principal, concedes things are unlikely to improve in the final six races of this season.
"We had a lot of issues at the beginning of the season with the drivetrain and then somehow midway through the season we've found out that we have some issues with the chassis, which are quite difficult to solve for this year," he told the official Formula 1 website. "But it is good that we found out before we started to develop the next car, so for the rest of the season we try to save whatever can be saved – but yes, it will be a difficult season all the way to the end."
He also revealed that a design mistake is to blame for their woes.
"We've made one design mistake that we actually had hoped would help us," he said. "We are in the same situation as three years ago when we did the 'forward exhaust' and had a terrible season.
"It's about the same situation again: we've made a choice and it is not paying off – actually it's the complete contrary. That was a bad choice that translates into a bad season – regardless of the engine. Now the fact that Renault has a number-one team [Red Bull] – and now they officially say it – that is also part of our issue."