Lotus hits maximum 'filming' mileage

With all eyes on Lotus's progress in the wake of Renault's struggles at the first pre-season F1 test, the fact the Enstone-based team was able to hit its target will be a boost to the French car manufacturer.

Although Lotus endured a slow start on Friday and only had time to complete one lap, it managed to get up to the 100km limit for a promotional day on Saturday.

Around Jerez, that equates to 22 laps - which is one more than Red Bull managed over four days during its disastrous first test.

A Lotus spokesman said that the team had been encouraged by the early running, including new signing Pastor Maldonado's debut, which has left it confident about its prospects for next week's second test in Bahrain.

"Both the chassis and the new Renault power unit ran without any major problems," a spokesman told AUTOSPORT.

"Pastor settled in very quickly and is already fitting into the team nicely.

"The car went together well and the design and build quality is another step up on the successful E21 of 2013.

"We are looking forward to a full testing programme in Bahrain next week where we will start to see the potential of the new package."