Lotus’ pre-season hits Barcelona speed-bump

(GMM) Lotus' impressive start to the 2012 season hit a speed-bump on Tuesday.

While the former Renault team's new E20 car set the pace at Jerez, Romain Grosjean had to retire early when the Barcelona test kicked off on Tuesday.

"I was very quickly aware that the car wasn't responding as it should," said the Frenchman.

Grosjean was shaking down the second E20 chassis, but it will now be sent back to Lotus' Enstone headquarters for investigation.

"Fortunately (on Wednesday) we will have the chassis which ran perfectly in Jerez so I should get some good track time," he said.

Team boss Eric Boullier played down the problem.

"This is a minor setback to our overall test program," he said. "If this is the only issue we have during testing then we will still be well prepared for the start of the season."