Lotus E20#Design

The Lotus E20 was planned to feature a "reactive ride height" suspension system — a mechanical device designed to maintain ride height under braking — at the start of the 2012 season.{{cite web |title=Lotus E20 |author=Sam |date=7 February 2012 |url=http://www.racecar-engineering.com/cars/lotus-e20/ |work=Racecar Engineering |publisher=Chelsea Magazine Company |access-date=13 February 2012}}{{cite news |title=Lotus expresses disappointment at FIA's decision to ban its reactive ride system|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97374|author=Jonathan Noble|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket|date=7 February 2012|access-date=8 February 2012}} Lotus (and formerly both their immediate predecessors, Lotus Renault GP and Renault F1 Team) had been developing the system since January 2010. The system used hydraulic cylinders located in the brake calipers and suspension push-rods to make minute adjustments to the ride height of the car, thereby keeping the ride height at an optimal level throughout the race and providing stability during braking. This initially had the approval of the FIA,{{cite news |title=Reactive ride banned because FIA believed it gave an aerodynamic benefit |author=Jonathan Noble |date=23 January 2012 |work=Autosport.com |publisher=Haymarket |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97151/ |access-date=9 February 2012}} who reversed their position one week later ruling that such systems were in breach of their regulations, on the grounds that the primary function of such a device was improve the aerodynamic performance of cars, and was therefore in violation of Article 3.15 of the technical regulations,{{cite news |title=FIA ban new technical innovation developed by Lotus and Ferrari |author=Andrew Benson |date=21 February 2012 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=The BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/16664827 |access-date=9 February 2012}} which states that "any device that influences the car's aerodynamics must remain immobile in relation to the sprung part of the car".{{cite news|title=FIA ban new technical innovation developed by Lotus and Ferrari|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/formula_one/16664827.stm|first=Andrew|last=Benson|work=BBC F1|publisher=BBC|date=21 January 2012|access-date=5 September 2012}} The teams were notified of the FIA's decision on 20 January 2012, and as a consequence, the reactive ride height system did not feature on 2012 cars.

The team was forced to withdraw from the second pre-season test in Barcelona when Romain Grosjean complained about a "strange" feeling in the chassis while driving on the opening morning of the test.{{cite news|title=Analysis: mounting issue to blame for Lotus's chassis problems?|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97620|first=Edd|last=Straw|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=21 February 2012|access-date=22 February 2012}} The team gave no official diagnosis of the problem at the time, but speculation within the media suggested the problem was related to the front suspension{{cite news|title=Lotus set to get extra day of running after pulling out of Barcelona F1 test|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97640|first=Edd|last=Straw|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=23 February 2012|access-date=23 February 2012}} and that the problem presented itself at the Circuit de Catalunya because of the higher lateral loads placed on the chassis at the circuit than those experienced at Jerez. James Allison, the team's technical director, later confirmed that the team had identified the problem as being the mounting of the upper front wishbone on the rear suspension arm.{{cite news|title=The problem with Lotus (F1 Team, rather than Group)|url=http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/the-problem-with-lotus-f1-team-rather-than-group/|first=Joe|last=Saward|work=Joe Saward blogs about the world of F1|publisher=Wordpress.com|date=29 February 2012|access-date=2 March 2012}} Grosjean had been testing the chassis designated E20-02 at the time; the chassis E20-01 was returned to the team's Enstone facility following completion of testing at Jerez. Upon discovering the problem, Lotus initially prepared chassis E20-01 to be transported to Barcelona to complete the test, but simulations revealed that the problem was also present on E20-01, and so the team decided to withdraw from the remainder of the test with immediate effect.{{cite news|title=Lotus F1 team pulls out of Barcelona test due to chassis problems|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97616|first=Edd|last=Straw|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=21 February 2012|access-date=22 February 2012}} The problem was then corrected in time for the team to start the season.{{cite news|title=Lewis Hamilton leads all-McLaren front row at the Australian Grand Prix|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98098|first=Matt|last=Beer|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=17 March 2012|access-date=22 August 2012}}

File:F1 2012 Jerez test - Lotus 3.jpg testing the E20 in Jerez.]]

The Lotus E20 was one of the only cars on the 2012 grid to use a version of the "double-DRS" system used by Mercedes on the rear wing of the W03 chassis. The wing used the F-duct concept developed by McLaren in 2010, which blew air across the surface of the wing to "stall" it, thereby cancelling out all downforce and drag running over the wing, allowing the car to achieve a higher top speed.{{cite web|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81997|title=Whitmarsh: Rivals will copy vent system |last=Noble|first=Jonathan|date=11 March 2010|publisher=Autosport.com|access-date=5 September 2012}} The system developed by Mercedes was reported to create an F-duct effect over the front wing when the Drag Reduction System (DRS) flap in the rear wing opened. Opening the flap would expose two vents, which channeled air back through the car and over the front wing, cancelling out the downforce generated by the front wing with the intention of increasing stability in high-speed corners.{{cite news|title=Mercedes: F-Duct Front Wing operated by the Rear Wing DRS|url=http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/mercedes-f-duct-front-wing-operated-by-the-rear-wing-drs/|first=Craig|last=Scarborough|work=Scarbsf1 - everything technical in F1|publisher=Craig Scarborough|date=14 March 2012|access-date=15 March 2012}} Lotus initially opposed the system, and filed a formal protest as they believed it to be a moveable aerodynamic device and therefore in violation of Article 3.15 of the sport's technical regulations,{{cite news|title=Lotus files protest against Mercedes's rear wing|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98719|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=12 April 2012|access-date=12 April 2012}} the same Article under which the E20's reactive ride-height system had been challenged. The FIA ultimately rejected Lotus's protest,{{cite news|title=Lotus will not appeal stewards' decision on Mercedes rear wing|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98740|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=12 April 2012|access-date=16 April 2012}} allowing Mercedes to continue using the double-DRS device and paving the way for Lotus to introduce their own version of it.

Two days after the 2012 Hungarian Grand Prix, the teams unanimously agreed to ban the use of double-DRS systems for the 2013 season.{{cite news|title=Formula 1 teams agree to ban double DRS for 2013|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101669|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=31 July 2012|access-date=5 September 2012}} Nevertheless, Lotus continued their development of a double-DRS system, which they referred to as "The Device",{{cite news|title=Lotus postpones DDRS 'Device' debut until Suzuka|url=http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/09/04/lotus-postpones-ddrs-device-debut-until-suzuka/|first=Adam|last=Cooper|work=Adam Cooper's F1 Blog|publisher=WordPress|date=4 September 2012|access-date=5 September 2012}} and anticipated its introduction at the Belgian Grand Prix, one month later. However, heavy rain in the first two practice sessions at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit delayed The Device's introduction.{{cite news|title=Lotus to put Double DRS 'device' on hold|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/08/31/lotus-put-double-drs-device-hold/|first=Keith|last=Collantine|work=F1 Fanatic|publisher=Keith Collantine|date=31 August 2012|access-date=5 September 2012}} The team's plans were further put on hold after Romain Grosjean was banned from taking part in the Italian Grand Prix for his role in a multi-car pile-up at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix.{{cite news|title=Belgian GP: Romain Grosjean gets one-race ban for start crash|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102185|first1=Simon|last1=Strang|first2=Matt|last2=Beer|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=2 September 2012|access-date=5 September 2012}} Grosjean was replaced by the team's testing and reserve driver, Jérôme d'Ambrosio, but d'Ambrosio's inexperience with the 2012-specification of cars and the low-downforce nature of the Monza circuit — which meant that any gain a double-DRS system had to offer would be negated — prompted the team to delay The Device's introduction even further, naming the Japanese Grand Prix in early October as their planned point of introduction. The team used the double-DRS system as planned during Friday practice, but shelved it until the third round of Young Driver Tests in November after being unhappy with their progress.{{cite news|title=Lotus focus on exhaust after Double DRS problems|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/10/09/lotus-focus-exhaust-double-drs-problems/|first=Keith|last=Collantine|work=F1 Fanatic|publisher=Keith Collantine|date=9 October 2012|access-date=9 October 2012|quote=Allison admitted the team had run into difficulty with its Double DRS, which has appeared several times in practice but hasn't been raced yet [...] "We're going to take it away, have another think and most likely give it another go in the Abu Dhabi Young Drivers' Test where we'll have more time to develop it in a systematic fashion."}} Kimi Räikkönen admitted that using the system made finding the proper setup for the car much more difficult than without it.{{cite news|title=Japanese GP: Lotus removes double-DRS again|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103099|first1=Jonathan|last1=Noble|first2=Pablo|last2=Elizalde|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=2 October 2012|access-date=5 October 2012}} By comparison, Red Bull Racing introduced their own variant on the system at the Singapore and Japanese Grands Prix, which was credited with aiding Sebastian Vettel in securing two race wins.{{cite web|title= Red Bull RB8 - 'double-DRS' device|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/technical/2012/878/1012.html|work=Formula1.com|publisher=Formula One Management|date=7 October 2012|access-date=8 October 2012}}

By the end of the season and in spite its extensive development programme, "The Device" was never raced. However, the concept was carried over to the Lotus E20's successor, the E21, with the team pledging to continue development throughout the 2013 season.{{cite news|title=Lotus persists with passive double DRS|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105312|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=28 January 2013|access-date=28 January 2013}} The system was finally raced for the first time at the 2013 British Grand Prix, when it was fitted on Kimi Räikkönen's car; the team opted not to use it on the sister car of Romain Grosjean so as to evaluate its performance relative to the older specification of car.{{cite news|title=Raikkonen to race passive DRS in the British Grand Prix|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/108425/|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=29 June 2013|access-date=2016-05-14}}

With the double-DRS "Device" shelved for the foreseeable future, the team instead turned their attention to the exhaust, introducing a Coandă-effect system for the Korean Grand Prix.{{cite news|title=Lotus to bring in Coanda-style exhaust for Korea|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103239|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=9 October 2012|access-date=9 October 2012}} The system, also used by McLaren and Ferrari,{{cite news|title=McLaren's exhaust solution examined|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/02/28/2012-exhaust-innovations-mclaren/|first=John|last=Beamer|work=F1 Fanatic|publisher=Keith Collantine|date=28 February 2012|access-date=9 October 2012}}{{cite news|title=How Ferrari solved their exhaust problem|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/07/05/ferrari-solved-exhaust-problem/|first=John|last=Beamer|work=F1 Fanatic|publisher=Keith Collantine|date=5 July 2012|access-date=9 October 2012}} used the curved shape of the bodywork at the rear of the car to guide the flow of exhaust gases, creating a low-pressure area over the car's diffuser. The team had previously considered launching the car with a Coandă-effect system, but opted to start the season with a conventional exhaust layout as they felt it was more important to start the season with a car that they knew was competitive rather than attempt to understand both the car and the complex properties of the Coandă effect at the same time.{{cite news|title=Lotus expect to use Coanda exhaust during race — 2012 Korean Grand Prix|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/10/12/lotus-coanda-exhaust-race/|first=Keith|last=Collantine|work=F1 Fanatic|publisher=Keith Collantine|date=12 October 2012|access-date=12 October 2012}}

The Lotus E20 showed its potential early in the season when Romain Grosjean qualified third for the Australian Grand Prix.{{cite news|title=Lewis Hamilton leads all-McLaren front row at the Australian Grand Prix|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98098|first=Matt|last=Beer|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=17 March 2012|access-date=8 October 2012}} However, the team would go on to experience a difficult season in which they never quite made the most of the car's potential, let down by poor race management and frequent entanglements in on-track incidents. Despite predictions that the team would be competing for race wins — if not the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships' — as early as April, the team would remain winless by October.

Grosjean's strong performance in qualifying for the race in Australia came to nothing when he made contact with Pastor Maldonado on the second lap and retired on the spot. Kimi Räikkönen, who had struggled in qualifying and started the race from seventeenth place, made the best of a bad situation to finish the race seventh.{{cite news|title=2012 Formula 1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix — Results |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/864/ |work=Formula1.com |publisher=Formula One Group |date=18 March 2012 |access-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319003822/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/864/ |archive-date=19 March 2012 }} The team fared little better in the next race in Malaysia; both Grosjean and Räikkönen qualified comfortably inside the top ten,{{cite news|title=Malaysian Grand Prix qualifying results|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/results/9705709.stm|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=24 March 2012|access-date=8 October 2012}} but Grosjean made contact with Michael Schumacher on the first lap and slipped down the order before spinning off, while Räikkönen was given a grid penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change and had to fight to recover to fifth.{{cite news|last=Tremayne|first=Sam|title=Raikkonen gets five-place grid penalty in the Malaysian Grand Prix|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98302|access-date=23 March 2012|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=8 October 2012}}{{cite news|title=2012 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix — Results |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/865/7089/ |publisher=Formula One |date=25 March 2012 |access-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326154225/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/865/7089/ |archive-date=26 March 2012 }} The team's troubles continued in China; once again, both drivers qualified inside the top ten,{{cite news|title=2012 Chinese Grand Prix — Qualifying Session Official Classification |url=http://fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/f1_media/Documents/chn-qualifying-classification.pdf |work=FIA.com |publisher=FIA |date=15 October 2012 |access-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417050923/http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/f1_media/Documents/chn-qualifying-classification.pdf |archive-date=17 April 2012 }} but Räikkönen's race was compromised by poor tyre management and he lost eleven positions in a single lap. Grosjean, on the other hand, managed a clean race and was rewarded with his first points in Formula One.{{cite news|title=2012 Formula 1 UBS CHinese grand Prix — Results |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/866/7137/results.html |publisher=Formula One |date=15 April 2012 |access-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417045407/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/866/7137/results.html |archive-date=17 April 2012 }}

File:012 Canadian GP - Romain Grosjean Lotus E20 02.jpg finished on the podium in Canada.]]

The Bahrain Grand Prix represented a breakthrough for the team, with both Räikkönen and Grosjean finishing the race on the podium behind race winner Sebastian Vettel.{{cite news|title=2012 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix — Results |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/867/ |work=Formula 1.com |publisher=Formula One management |date=22 April 2012 |access-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511102315/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/867/ |archive-date=11 May 2012 }} Both drivers had challenged Vettel for the lead over the course of the race, and while neither managed to catch the reigning World Champion, it was an encouraging sign for team, and one that they would back up at the next race in Spain, with Räikkönen scoring his second consecutive podium after attempting a daring strategy in which he tried to force race winner Pastor Maldonado and Fernando Alonso to drive beyond the life expectancy of their tyres. Räikkönen ran out of laps before Maldonado and Alonso ran out of grip, and the 2007 World Champion finished third, with Grosjean fourth.{{cite news|title=Formula 1 Gran Premio de España Santander 2012 — Results |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/868/7071/ |work=Formula1.com |publisher=Formula One Management |date=13 May 2012 |access-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516113307/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/868/7071/ |archive-date=16 May 2012 }}

The team's fortunes came crashing back down to earth in Monaco when Grosjean was at the centre of a first-lap accident that put himself, Maldonado, Kamui Kobayashi and Pedro de la Rosa out of the race. Räikkönen, meanwhile, struggled after losing valuable track time during Friday practice, as he was unhappy with parts introduced onto the car for the race. He qualified eighth and went on to finish the race ninth.{{cite news|title=Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco 2012 |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/869/7083/ |work=Formula1.com |publisher=Formula One Management |date=27 May 2012 |access-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528085127/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/869/7083/ |archive-date=28 May 2012 }} The team's poor form in Monaco proved to be an exception, rather than the rule, as Grosjean went on to finish the Canadian Grand Prix in second place after race leaders Alonso and Vettel fell victim to the ultra-sensitive Pirelli tyres; Grosjean later admitted that he had not thought a podium was possible until he found himself running second with three laps left to run. Räikkönen, on the other hand, missed out on a spot in the top ten on the grid, and so had to work his way up from twelfth to eighth.{{cite web|title=Formula 1 Grand Prix Du Canada 2012 |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/870/ |work=Formula1.com |publisher=Formula One Group |date=12 June 2012 |access-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123004918/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/870 |archive-date=23 November 2012 }} Grosjean was in contention for his maiden race win in Valencia after an alternator failure forced race leader Sebastian Vettel to retire. Grosjean kept pace with new race leader Fernando Alonso, only to fall victim to the same alternator failure seven laps later. Räikkönen, meanwhile, took advantage of this to finish the race second behind Alonso.{{cite news|title=Alonso becomes first double winner in 2012 with superb European GP victory|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100680|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=24 June 2012|access-date=8 October 2012}}

File:2012 Singapore GP - Raikkonen.jpg

The British Grand Prix proved disappointing for Lotus, with Grosjean spinning off during qualifying and Räikkönen struggling with the wet conditions.{{cite news|title=Alonso grabs pole in disrupted qualifying for the British Grand Prix|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101009|first=Matt|last=Beer|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=7 July 2012|access-date=8 October 2012}} In the race, Grosjean made contact with Paul di Resta on the first lap; di Resta retired, while Grosjean was forced to pit for a new front wing, shuffling him back down the order to twenty-third. He later recovered to finish sixth behind Räikkönen, both drivers having struggled to match the leaders for pace all race long.{{cite news|title=Mark Webber charges to superb British Grand Prix victory|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101064|first=Matt|last=Beer|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=8 July 2012|access-date=8 October 2012}} Both drivers struggled in qualifying for the German Grand Prix, with Räikkönen starting tenth after being caught out by heavy rain in the middle of the session, and Grosjean managing no better than fifteenth. Räikkönen, however, recovered in the race to finish fourth, inheriting a podium when Sebastian Vettel was given a twenty-second post-race penalty for passing Jenson Button off the circuit. Grosjean, meanwhile, finished eighteenth, a lap behind race winner Alonso.{{cite web|url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/873/7125/ |title=Formula One Großer Preis Santander von Deutschland 2012 — Results |date=22 July 2012 |work=Formula1.com |publisher=Formula One Management |access-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724141032/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/873/7125/ |archive-date=24 July 2012 }} The team bounced back once again in Hungary, with Grosjean qualifying on the front row and finishing third after the team managed to find a strategy for Räikkönen that saw him steal second place away from his team-mate.{{cite news|title=Formula One Eni Magyar Nagydij 2012 |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/874/7118/ |work=Formula1.com |publisher=Formula One Management |date=28 July 2012 |access-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730163142/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/874/7118/ |archive-date=30 July 2012 }}{{cite news|title=Formula 1 Eni Magyar Nagydij 2012 — Results |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/874/7119/ |work=Formula1.com |publisher=Formula One Management |date=29 July 2012 |access-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801080227/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/874/7119/ |archive-date=1 August 2012 }}

Disaster struck in Belgium. Romain Grosjean was once again involved in a first-lap incident when he cut across the circuit at the start, clipping Lewis Hamilton and being launched into Alonso and Sergio Pérez. The violent nature of the accident led to the stewards handing down a one-race ban for Grosjean. Räikkönen salvaged what he could to finish third,{{cite news|title=Button storms to Spa win after first-lap shunt|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/02/2012-belgian-grand-prix-report/|first=Keith|last=Collantine|work=F1 Fanatic|publisher=Keith Collantine|date=2 September 2012|access-date=8 October 2012}} but expressed disappointment with the result given his previous achievements at the circuit, including four wins in five starts. With Grosjean forced to miss the Italian Grand Prix, the team drafted their testing and reserve driver, Jérôme d'Ambrosio, to drive car #10 for the race. D'Ambrosio qualified sixteenth and took advantage of high-profile retirements for Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button to finish thirteenth, the last car to be classified on the lead lap. Räikkönen had a quiet race, starting fifth and finishing seventh.{{cite web|title=Formula 1 Gran Premio Santander d'Italia 2012 — Results |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/876/7107/ |publisher=Formula One World Championship Limited |date=9 September 2012 |access-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911002415/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/876/7107/ |archive-date=11 September 2012 }}

File:2012 Japanese GP opening lap.jpg was criticised for causing another first-lap incident, this time spinning Mark Webber around at the start of the Japanese Grand Prix.]]

Grosjean returned to the car in Singapore, and once again out-qualified Räikkönen, starting eighth while his team-mate could do no better than twelfth.{{cite news|title=Hamilton on pole as Maldonado shines in Singapore|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/09/22/2012-singapore-grand-prix-qualifying-report/|first=Keith|last=Collantine|work=F1 Fanaitc|publisher=Keith Collantine|date=22 September 2012|access-date=8 September 2012}} In the race it was Räikkönen who performed better, finishing sixth, a second ahead of Grosjean.{{cite news|title=Vettel wins as Hamilton retires|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102793|work=autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=23 September 2012|access-date=8 October 2012}} Despite not having won a race by this point, Räikkönen remained in championship contention, sitting in third place, forty-five points behind championship leader Fernando Alonso. While Alonso's nearest rival, Sebastian Vettel, would make significant in-roads into Alonso's championship lead in Japan, Räikkönen went on to finish sixth after making contact with Alonso during the start that forced the Ferrari driver out of the race.{{cite news|title=Vettel cruises to Japanese GP victory|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103179|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=7 October 2012|access-date=8 October 2012}} Grosjean, on the other hand, was once again caught up in a first-corner melee, making contact with Mark Webber and earning a ten-second stop-go penalty for his troubles, the harshest in-race penalty available to the race stewards.{{cite news|title=Japanese GP: Webber slams 'first-lap nutcase' Grosjean|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103188|first=Simon|last=Strang|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=7 October 2012|access-date=8 October 2012}} With eight first-lap incidents from fourteen starts to his name in 2012 alone, Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner opined that Lotus "needed to control" Grosjean, describing the Frenchman as dangerous to himself and others.{{cite news|title=Japanese GP: Lotus must 'control' Romain Grosjean says Red Bull boss|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103225|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=7 October 2012|access-date=8 October 2012}}

Both cars finished in the points once more at the Korean Grand Prix, with Räikkönen and Grosjean finishing where they started in fifth and seventh place,{{cite news|title=Vettel wins in Korea to take championship lead|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103422|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=14 October 2012|access-date=16 October 2012}}{{cite web|title=2012 Formula 1 Korean Grand Prix — Qualifying |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/879/7094/ |work=Formula1.com |publisher=Formula One Management |date=13 October 2012 |access-date=16 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015001741/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/879/7094/ |archive-date=15 October 2012 }} but the team lost further ground to Red Bull Racing and Ferrari in the World Constructors' Championship. The team scored another double points finish two weeks later in India, with Räikkönen finishing seventh — having spent much of the race stuck behind Felipe Massa — and Grosjean climbing from eleventh to finish ninth overall.{{cite news|title=2012 Indian Grand Prix result|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/10/28/2012-indian-grand-prix-result/|first=Keith|last=Collantine|work=F1 Fanatic|publisher=Keith Collantine|date=28 October 2012|access-date=28 October 2012}} Räikkönen would later claim that a podium finish was possible, but mistakes made during the final free practice session and qualifying cost him dearly.{{cite news|title=Raikkonen: Saturday error cost podium|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103832|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=28 October 2012|access-date=29 October 2012}} One week later in Abu Dhabi, Räikkönen picked up two positions off the start line to be second as the cars began their first lap, inheriting the lead when Lewis Hamilton's McLaren developed a terminal electrical fault that forced him out of the race. Räikkönen held onto the position for the remainder of the race despite a late challenge from Fernando Alonso, finally winning Lotus' first race in 2012 six months after it had been predicted.{{cite news|title=Raikkonen wins for Lotus as Vettel finishes third|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104019|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymaket Publications|date=4 November 2012|access-date=5 November 2012}} Romain Grosjean, on the other hand, was involved in early contact that forced him to pit to repair damage. He recovered to fifth, but retired when Sergio Pérez veered sharply onto the circuit after being forced off by Paul di Resta. Pérez and Grosjean made contact, pushing Grosjean into the path of Mark Webber, and the two retired with collision damage.{{cite news|title=Grosjean: 'Collisions weren't my fault'|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104025|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymaket Publications|date=4 November 2012|access-date=5 November 2012}}

The team were unable to continue their winning form in the United States; despite Räikkönen's surprise at a strong qualifying performance when both he and Grosjean had struggled for grip throughout free practice, any potential for a podium finish was lost when Grosjean spun early in the race and a clutch problem held Räikkönen during his one and only pit stop. Räikkönen and Grosjean went on to finish in sixth and seventh places respectively,{{cite news|title=Hamilton wins as 2012 title battle goes to wire|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104366|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=18 November 2012|access-date=18 November 2012}} while Lewis Hamilton's race win put third place in the World Constructors' Championship out of Lotus's reach. The team scored just a single point at the final race of the season in Brazil, when Räikkönen finished tenth. Grosjean spun out and crashed heavily early on in difficult conditions, while Räikkönen made a poor tyre choice and fell down the order. He was later running as high as sixth, but lost a considerable amount of time in a bizarre incident where he left the circuit and attempted to re-join using the support paddock pit lane, only to find that the way was blocked, which forced him to turn around and re-join the circuit another way.{{cite news|title=Raikkonen: I knew where I was going|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104596|work=Autosport.com|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=25 November 2012|access-date=25 November 2012}} He recovered to eleventh, which became tenth when Paul di Resta crashed out two laps from the end of the race.

File:2012 British GP - Raikkonen.jpg special livery during the British Grand Prix]]

Like the previous season's car, the E20 sported a black and gold livery adopted by the John Player Special Lotus cars from the early 1970s to mid-1980s. The team celebrated its 500th race entry in Monaco, and the team unveiled a special livery inspired by Angry Birds, and partnered with alternative rock band Linkin Park at the same event to promote an iPad application.{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/lotus-f1-team-angry-ahead-of-monaco-grand-prix/3218982/|title=Lotus F1 team "angry" ahead of Monaco Grand Prix|website=Motorsport.com|access-date=12 October 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.com/lotus-f1-joins-forces-linkin-park-weird-ipad-app-monaco-grand-prix-2012-why-705669|title=Lotus F1 'Joins Forces' With Linkin Park On Weird iPad App Before Monaco Grand Prix 2012, But Why?|website=Ibtimes.com|date=21 May 2012 |access-date=12 October 2022}} The team promoted the movie The Dark Knight Rises at the British Grand Prix. The team promoted the game Angry Birds Star Wars at the United States Grand Prix.{{cite web|url=https://www.pitpass.com/47860/Lotus-teams-up-with-Star-Wars-and-Angry-Birds-for-Austin|title=Lotus teams up with Star Wars and Angry Birds for Austin|website=Pitpass.com|date=9 November 2012 |access-date=12 October 2022}}

The car featured in the music video Dangerous by Sam Martin and David Guetta.

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

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

{{Expand section|Missing coverage of the car's use in demonstrations and testing.|date=July 2022}}

The E20 was run in the Renault R.S.17 livery for demonstration laps by Robert Kubica throughout 2017.{{Cite web |title=Formula 1: driving Kimi Raikkonen's race-winning Lotus E20 |url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/features/formula-1-driving-kimi-raikkonens-race-winning-lotus-e20 |access-date=2022-07-19 |date = 2018-07-01 | first = Joe | last = van Burik | website=Autocar |language=en}} Aseel Al-Hamad completed a celebratory lap in the E20 car ahead of the 2018 French Grand Prix. The car was also run in 2022 in the Alpine A522 livery for demonstration laps by Al-Hamad and Abbi Pulling.{{Cite web |title=Aseel Al Hamad and Abbi Pulling become first women to drive an F1 car in Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.aseel-al-hamad-and-abbi-pulling-become-first-women-to-drive-an-f1-car-in.7sqqQL7xOozja19y0arH5z.html |access-date=2022-07-19 | date = 2022-03-24 | website= Formula1.com |language=en}}

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