MAY 7, 2015

Lotus short nose fails crash test

Lotus has had to leave the centrepiece of its Barcelona car upgrade in the luggage.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reported that the Enstone team wanted to debut a new, ultra-short nose at the Spanish grand prix, but it failed the mandatory crash test.

The debut of the nose and wing has now been postponed until Canada.

"Monte Carlo is the not the ideal place for a first use," said chief engineer Alan Permane.

However, it is believed Lotus' Barcelona package still includes a new rear wing and rear bodywork, brake ducts and front wing endplates.

Meanwhile, it emerged on Thursday that Force India's already-delayed 'B' car, earlier said to be heading for a debut in Austria, will now not be seen until Silverstone.

"We would love to have the package here, which didn't happen," said Sergio Perez.

"We expect Silverstone will be the first time we have it."

(GMM)