Lotus E23 Hybrid

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Lotus E23 Hybrid
Romain Grosjean 2015 Malaysia FP1.jpg
Romain Grosjean driving the E23 Hybrid at the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix
Category Formula One
Constructor Lotus
Designer(s) Nick Chester (Technical Director)
Chris Cooney (Engineering Director)
Martin Tolliday (Chief Designer)
Simon Virrill (Project Leader)
Nicolas Hennel (Head of Aerodynamics)
Jon Tomlinson (Chief Aerodynamicist)
Predecessor Lotus E22
Successor Renault R.S.16
Technical specifications
Engine Mercedes PU106B Hybrid Turbo [1] 1.6 L (98 cu in) V6 engine (90°), limited to 15,000 RPM in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout
Electric motor Mercedes PU106B Hybrid Motor Generator Unit–Kinetic (MGU-K)
Mercedes PU106B Hybrid Motor Generator Unit–Heat (MGU-H)
Transmission Semi-automatic, sequential
8 forward gears, 1 reverse gear
Power930 hp (690 kW)
Weight702 kg (1,548 lb)
Fuel Petronas
Lubricants Petronas
Tyres Pirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet)
Competition history
Notable entrants Lotus F1 Team
Notable drivers08. Flag of France.svg Romain Grosjean
13. Flag of Venezuela.svg Pastor Maldonado
Debut 2015 Australian Grand Prix
Last event 2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
RacesWins Podiums Poles F/Laps
190100

The Lotus E23 Hybrid is a Formula One racing car which Lotus used to compete in the 2015 Formula One season. The chassis was designed by Nick Chester, Chris Cooney, Martin Tolliday and Nicolas Hennel with Mercedes supplying the team's powertrain. It was driven by Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado. This was the team's only car to use Mercedes engines, after a 20-year period of racing with Renault based powerplants. The E23 Hybrid was also the first Enstone-based car not to used a Renault-based engine (including the period between 1998 and 2000 where the team used Playlife badged Renault-based V10s) since the Ford-powered V8 powered Benetton B194 in 1994, as well as first full British team to utilize Petronas fuel and lubricants.

Contents

Images of the 2015 car were released on 26 January 2015. [2] [3]

The Lotus-Mercedes partnership was originally intended to last for six years (until 2020), but was terminated five years earlier as the team returned to Renault power unit after a single season and thus bought ill-fated Lotus stake from 2016 onwards and renamed back to Renault Sport Formula One Team.

Season summary

Romain Grosjean leads teammate Pastor Maldonado during the Malaysian Grand Prix Lotus duo 2015 Malaysia Race.jpg
Romain Grosjean leads teammate Pastor Maldonado during the Malaysian Grand Prix

After the team's dramatic slump in 2014, the 2015 season marked a small improvement in form. The car was considered an improvement compared to the disastrous Lotus E22, which suffered from reliability issues and struggling for competitiveness due to the underpowered and unreliable Renault power unit and the fundamental flaws of the E22 chassis. However, both driver errors and unreliability cost the team points finishes in many races, limiting the car's potential of consistent points scoring. Maldonado retired in 5 out of the first 6 races either due to collisions or car problems. Grosjean and Maldonado collided with each other, in Spain and Britain. A highlight of the season however was Grosjean's podium finish in Belgium. Lotus ended its last season with 78 points and a 6th place in the World Constructors' Championship, before its buyout from Renault Sport.

Sponsorship and livery

The team promoted the movie Mad Max: Fury Road at the 2015 Spanish Grand Prix. At the 2015 Singapore Grand Prix Lotus celebrated the launch of the Forza Motorsport 6 game and to celebrate, drivers wore green Xbox overalls. [4]

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantEngineTyresDriversGrands PrixPointsWCC
AUS MAL CHN BHR ESP MON CAN AUT GBR HUN BEL ITA SIN JPN RUS USA MEX BRA ABU
2015 Lotus F1 Mercedes PU106B Hybrid P Flag of France.svg Romain Grosjean Ret117781210RetRet73Ret137RetRet1089786th
Flag of Venezuela.svg Pastor Maldonado RetRetRet15RetRet77Ret14RetRet128781110Ret

Driver failed to finish the race, but was classified as they had completed greater than 90% of the race distance.

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References

  1. "Mercedes provide early look at 2015 car". Grand Prix 247. 29 January 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  2. "2015 F1 race, test and launch dates". F1 Fanatic. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  3. Collantine, Keith (26 January 2015). "Lotus reveal first images of new E23". F1 Fanatic. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  4. "Lotus F1 Team Singapore GP qualifying review". Automobilsport.com. Retrieved 12 October 2022.