devoted attention? They only replaced his chassis for god's sake. O.o That's bullshit mate. They actually didn't do a **** to help him for few races, then just changes chassis, and tried to improve setups. Even Lopez and Allison said that they hit the sweet spot with kimi more often than with Gro, and it has nothing to do with developing car after that, to help Grosjean. He just found some good setup after long time.
Didn't they do more than just 'change' the chassis? Last seasom RG studied Kimi's data with his engineers and to my understanding the intention was for RG learning Kimi's driving style. Kimi usually drove the donkey-car on Fridays, testing the DDRS that wasn't even going to be used that season and he often had to find his race setups on Saturday. RG often got the new parts before Kimi so they were treated equally, at least not in favor of Kimi.
They built the car based on Kimi's feedback/input, but not to favor Kimi - it was in favor of both drivers.
This season RG had problems adapting to the car and because of that they built RG a completely new chassis which suited RG's driving style, in other words they stopped teaching him Kimi's driving style. It was a very fair thing from Lotus to do.
Kimi has never been driver #1 officially, except when it comes to his PR-value - and this has been stated by both EB and RG - while both state that they are on equal terms as drivers. And it's pretty obvious also that media-wise Kimi is the team's #1, didn't RG say that the team is riding on Kimi's name? But it has nothing to do with Lotus giving him that PR-status, he is a brand no matter in which team he is.
EB has flashed the 'chance' of Kimi becoming their driver #1, but that's all there is to it - a chance.
EB was very vocal after Malaysia GP when commenting about RBR, he said that he would never tolerate any of his drivers ignore team orders.
RG was given the team order three times before he obeyed.
Lap 52
Lotus: Kimi is coming behind you very fast on soft tires. Don't hold him up.
RG: I don't understand anything.
Lotus: Okay Romain. Kimi is behind you on soft tires and he is very fast. Don't hold him up.
RG didn't react.
Lap 55 the same order was repeated for the 3rd time
Lotus: Kimi is behind you on soft tires and he is very fast. Don't hold him up.
RG: can you confirm to me if Kimi is faster?
Lotus: Yes, confirmed, yes.
After this RG let Kimi past.
That's the reason why I'm all for Lotus dropping team orders in the future. They are either given or obeyed when it's too late and in both cases reflect negatively on the team as a whole.
Their lesson should be 'Seize the moment'
Edited by Wolfie, 09 July 2013 - 06:42.