Lotus ‘don’t expect’ line-up changes

Lotus are confident they will retain Romain Grosjean alongside Pastor Maldonado for next year’s Championship.

Although the Frenchman, who has scored the team’s only points this season, has refused to sign a new deal, he did have some positive words for Lotus earlier this week.

Grosjean stated that he believes the team, which will be powered by Mercedes in 2015, “can score points and be on the podium a few times” in 2015.

He added that Lotus is “not a bad place to be” given their new engine deal.

Encouraged by Grosjean’s words, team owner Gerard Lopez believes it is only a matter of time before he locks the 28-year-old into a new deal.

“I don’t expect any changes,” Lopez told Autosport.

“Romain has a clause that enables him to leave the team based on results not being achieved by the team.

“It’s the case this year – we’re not within the boundaries fixed by his contract. He would be free to go if he wants to go.

“I’ve known Romain long enough to know if he were to go it would be for a team that can fight for wins and so on.

“I think at this stage he’s well-advised to stay here given the changes we’re doing for next year.

“We’ll see, but I don’t think there’s going to be any change.

“I would strongly suggest it will stay the same. It’s going in that direction.”