» Lotus looks forward to its home race after a solid performance in Australia

Despite Jarno Trulli failing to start the race, the Lotus team still drew positives from its performance this weekend, with Heikki Kovalainen notching up another race finish for the Malaysian-owned team.

An issue with the hydraulics forced Jarno Trulli to abandon the grid with just minutes to go before the parade lap.

But this was contrasted with Heikki’s performance, with the Finn driving a solid race to 13th.

"I enjoyed it today and had good fun out there,” Heikki said after the race.

“Our target was to finish the race and from the start we were quite comfortably ahead of the new teams. I just focused on keeping up a decent rhythm, not making any mistakes and bringing the car home.

"Now we go to Malaysia with a good feeling and we’re all looking forward to that."

Can you imagine the reception the team is going to get in Sepang? I hope all of you in Malaysia are going to visit the circuit!

Team boss Tony Fernandes was also pleased with the result, despite Trulli’s retirement.

"I’m disappointed for Jarno, but Heikki did us proud – three places away from a point, and he was keeping pace with most of the other cars throughout the race,” he gushed.

"Maybe it would have been nice if three other cars had gone out so we could get a point, but, joking aside, it is good that at this stage of the season we’re already thinking about points. We’re in a nice position for Malaysia."

Indeed, Tony! I’m going to put money on a points’ finish in the not-too-distant future!

[Original image via AUTOSPORT]