Lotus E23 Hybrid

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 partnership with Renault. The E23 Hybrid was also the first Enstone-based car to be powered by an engine other than Renault's since the Ford-powered Benetton B194 in 1994, as well as first full British team to utilize Petronas fuel and lubricants.

Lotus E23 Hybrid
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorLotus
Designer(s)Nick Chester (Technical Director)
Chris Cooney (Engineering Director)
Martin Tolliday (Chief Designer)
Nicolas Hennel (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorLotus E22
SuccessorRenault R.S.16
Technical specifications
EngineMercedes 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 motorMercedes PU106B Hybrid Motor Generator Unit–Kinetic (MGU-K)
Mercedes PU106B Hybrid Motor Generator Unit–Heat (MGU-H)
TransmissionSemi-automatic, sequential
8 forward gears, 1 reverse gear
Power930 hp (690 kW)
Weight702 kg (1,548 lb)
FuelPetronas
LubricantsPetronas
TyresPirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet)
Competition history
Notable drivers8. Romain Grosjean
13. Pastor Maldonado
Debut2015 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF.Laps
190100

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

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.

Complete Formula One results

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

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers Grands Prix Points WCC
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 Romain Grosjean Ret 11 7 7 8 12 10 Ret Ret 7 3 Ret 13† 7 Ret Ret 10 8 9 78 6th
Pastor Maldonado Ret Ret Ret 15 Ret Ret 7 7 Ret 14 Ret Ret 12 8 7 8 11 10 Ret

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

References
  1. "Mercedes provide early look at 2015 car". Grand Prix 247. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  2. "2015 F1 race, test and launch dates". F1 Fanatic. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  3. Collantine, Keith. "Lotus reveal first images of new E23". F1 Fanatic. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
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