Lotus HVM Racing wraps up Sebring test

HVM's Dallara Lotus

Pre-season testing resumed for Lotus HVM Racing and the Lotus test team in Sebring, FL this Thursday and Friday. Lotus HVM Racing had their first independent test alongside the Lotus manufacturer test team.

After two full days of testing, Lotus HVM team feels confident that they are making good progress in their preparations for the season-opener in St. Petersburg, FL on March 25,2012.

Team Manager Shane Seneviratne was pleased with the progress the team made during their two days on track. "The team was pretty successful in its first outing with the car", he said. "We learned a lot about the chassis and engine package. Our relationship with Lotus continues to grow and strengthen. Simona, as usual, was very good with feedback which has been instrumental in developing the car. I'd like to thank everyone on the team for their hard work. It's been a difficult month and I appreciate all their efforts."

Pounding around Sebring trying to get the Dallara to handle well

Driver Simona De Silvestro was equally optimistic at the end of the day. "I think it was a good first test with the HVM car," she said. "Everybody was in race mode and we made a lot of improvements. I think we still have a long way to go, but I think if we keep progressing like we did these two days we should be ready for St. Pete."

As good as the test was team owner Keith Wiggins knows there's still a lot of work to be done before the first race. "We were able to get two good days of running. Obviously there's still a lot to do in a small amount of time," he said. "Most of the time here was spent on engine mapping and testing, but we also made solid progress with our first opportunity to work with the HVM specific chassis. We're still in the early days with plenty of development to do, but we've had a very good start."

The team moves to Barber Motorsports Park next week and anticipates continuing the progress made at Sebring.