Lotus team principal Eric Boullier however has warned fans they will likely
have to wait until next year before the marque grabs its elusive first win.
Boullier has resigned himself to the fact with three races remaining he will
not be seeing either Raikkonen or Romain Grosjean on the top step of the
podium this season despite being runners-up four times in 2012.
After finishing seventh in yesterday’s Indian Grand Prix behind a dominant
Sebastian Vettel, who has now won four in a row, the Finn lies third in the
standings, 67 points adrift with 75 available.
As far as Boullier is concerned, while Lotus will do all they can to help
Raikkonen secure third place behind Vettel and Fernando Alonso, they can
forget about taking the chequered flag in either Abu Dhabi on Sunday or in
the United States and Brazil next month.
Asked whether a win was possible this year, Boullier said: “No, next
year.
“Realistically, I would be kidding people if I said we would win a race
this year.
“If we’re in a position to fight until the end, to threaten the third
position (in the drivers’ championship), I’ll be happy with that, to be
honest.
“Yes, it’s frustrating at not getting this missing, or elusive win, but
we had a good start to the season, with a new package and two new drivers.
“If we make a good start next year it will be a different story.”