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6th
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IZOD IndyCar series' officials said that the Lotus-powered Dallara of Swiss driver Simona de Silvestro is very likely to be back flagged if found ti be running too slow in this weekend's race at Texas Motor Speedway.
At the Indy 500 two weeks ago, the two Lotus entries of Jean Alesi and De Silvestro were black flagged during the race as they were unable to run within 105 per cent of the leader's pace. Since Fan Force United's Indianapolis entry for former F1 driver Alesi was a one-race effort, Simona de Silvestro remains the lone Lotus entry in the entire field.
IndyCar race director Beaux Barfield told Autosport that the HVM car will not remain on the 1.5-mile, high banked oval if it is too slow.
Barfield declared: "Yes, it will (be black flagged), We're working with Lotus to try to find some solutions to keep them on track. We're trying to be patient about it, but the reality is that Texas is a difficult place, with the way they race there, to leave somebody out on the track who is off the pace. I'd like to be sympathetic and work with them, but safety is paramount."
Autosport added that Lotus IndyCar project manager Olivier Picquenot said developments are in the pipeline, but pointed out that having Texas just two weeks after Indy had not allowed enough time for them to be introduced.
At the Indy 500 two weeks ago, the two Lotus entries of Jean Alesi and De Silvestro were black flagged during the race as they were unable to run within 105 per cent of the leader's pace. Since Fan Force United's Indianapolis entry for former F1 driver Alesi was a one-race effort, Simona de Silvestro remains the lone Lotus entry in the entire field.
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| Jean Alesi and Simona de Silvestro (Photo: IMS) |
IndyCar race director Beaux Barfield told Autosport that the HVM car will not remain on the 1.5-mile, high banked oval if it is too slow.
Barfield declared: "Yes, it will (be black flagged), We're working with Lotus to try to find some solutions to keep them on track. We're trying to be patient about it, but the reality is that Texas is a difficult place, with the way they race there, to leave somebody out on the track who is off the pace. I'd like to be sympathetic and work with them, but safety is paramount."
Autosport added that Lotus IndyCar project manager Olivier Picquenot said developments are in the pipeline, but pointed out that having Texas just two weeks after Indy had not allowed enough time for them to be introduced.